itsspideyman

[itsspideyman]

In terms of strength a sphere is most inherently strong design because unlike elongated surfaces it contains no structural weak points. Part of the reason might be structural integrity.

I've always been curious, and more so now that I play STO and can actually get one of the spherical Daedalus type science ships, but what purpose does the spherical shape serve? I know that without atmosphere, there is no aerodynamic concerns in space, so it isn't that. With deflector and sensor arrays being able to be placed most anywhere on a saucer or chevron sections, I'm curious as to the reason the sphere is such an iconic shape for science ships. Thanks for the pics!

There are no aerodynamics in space, but there are subspace-dynamics.  The shape of the hull plays an important part of sustaining the warp field. That said, it is fake technology so the designers get to make the ships look however they like, and just say that it is for a good reason. 

I don’t know of any advantage to the spherical hull; the only canon spherical hull we’ve seen on TV is the Olympic-class medical ship Pasteur (and a brief appearance of the Medusian amassador’s ship in remastered TOS). The Daedalus design is technically not canon, but they were general explorers, not dedicated science ships. I don’t know that the spherical shape it lends itself to science ships for any reason. But I like it, if only for variety’s sake.