Starfleet Runabout concept.

If memory serves the customary methodology is the computer core under the cockpit subfloor and the warp core along the spine above the habitation module.

The major problem I see is that the hull really isn't thick enough to have components inside it. Take a look at the Danube-class sometime; the hull is pretty thick, especially around the cockpit (not so much at the aft).

The cockpit of the Danube-class has torpedo magazines, blast shields for the windows, the computer core. I would substantially recess your cockpit inside the hull and use the auxiliary space for some components.

The forward part of the Danube-class is also a lifeboat, so it's got its own life support and power batteries, too.

While I'm on the topic, while I mostly like the design of the cockpit, the step-down needs to be far better designed and the cockpit consoles and displays should probably still be integrated into the walls of the cockpit.

In fact, the entire internal hull just seems...awkwardly designed.

What I'd do if I was in your place would be to design the interior hull contiguously, figure out what other components you want around it- torpedoes, computer core, etc- and then design the external hull around it.

I think this is a good direction for runabouts. Although, it's about the size of four runabouts. You can work around that with folding pylons, but I don't think that's workable, considering the ship's general dimensions and the nacelles' use as landing struts.

I'll try to comment stem to stern.

1. I think the bow needs to be a far smoother shape.
2. I don't think the deflector has sufficient internal space.
3. The canopy feels off, in part because of the multiple panes. I know the Delta Flyer did that, kind of, but it's not working.
4. The cockpit setup uses its space very efficiently, and looks good.
5. Where you have that conference table should be a transporter. You may also want a head (it looks like you have one) and replicator. It doesn't feel right to me to have the communal area forward, and by putting the teleporter upfront you can move the quarters forward, which would leave space for a second large space in back, just ahead of the cargo area.
6. For the forward landing strut, a lever style may make more sense than the piston. I think the lever would fit better.
7. The hump should probably extent further forward, so it can store more fuel. You may also want to make it taller over the warp core, or sink deeper into the hull. The core on the Danube class runabout isn't much more than a wheel, but on this it should probably be more like a barrel.
8. I think you actually have too many impulse engines.

I don't know that it's actually that much bigger... the nacelles look like they're swept back which would be inconvenient, so I'd move them forward so that they fit inside the ship's own length.

The cockpit seems similar in size to the Danube-class, which would make the rest of the ship longer, but not by much. Current runabouts are fourteen meters wide and twenty-three meters long. This looks like it's maybe in the 25-30m range.

Based on the image below, this runabout is a third longer. The nacelle pylons make it only one and a half Danubes wide.



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I wouldn't move the nacelles forward, it would mess with its speed shaping.

Will this larger runabout still fit in a starship hanger? If it doesn't, it sort of defeats the purpose of a runabout, right?

The standard runabout is pretty big, and likely wouldn't fit in any quantity in starships of the small-to-medum size. I doubt, for example, a Nova or an Intrepid could carry a runabout.

Galaxy and Sovereign, yes, and they can still carry the larger variant.

But it also doesn't necessarily defeat the purpose; the runabout's an independent starship, albeit a small one. If you're an admiral and you want to get from Earth to Vulcan or something, you might well take a runabout rather than a full ship.

Yeah, the design philosophy behind the Runabout was to have a small, independant starship that would be cheep to produce, and highly modular. Most of the major components are 'outside the hull'...



The Warp core (as stated previously) is built in along the spine of the ship, noted in the side view and top view. The top view also highlights the pylons, which are 'filled in' with the impulse engines and several other components, such as shield emmitters, fuel storage, and probably even the sensors and main deflectors (and can be suplimented by a dedicated deflector array-seen in red below).



In Blue, we have the primary crew pod, or the command pod. This contains your cockpit, a transporter, and a sanitation area. The hull around there also has it's own emergency thrusters, comm beacons, deflector shields, and can also house micro-torpedoes. The wings of the command pod also house the phasers.

In Green is the secondary crew pod, or mission pod. This can have anything from additional (and more comfortable) quarters to scientific labs to even a miniature holodeck (which can, itself, serve any number of purposes). Really, it's the 'what ever the hell of the week' part of the ship. It could even house photon torpedoes to turn the Runabout into a bomber.

Your Runabout should technically reflect that basic design philosophy. Miniaturization is one of the things that starfleet has been able to do pretty well for most of their stuff, so for everything but the main deflector and the warp drive, you don't need too much space as long as it could fit within about a foots worth of separation between hull and deck. Modularity is the hallmark of the Runabout project, and should be incorporated into any design that calls itself a Runabout. If it's not, then you should probably call it something else to reflect it's new purpose.

I have to say, the Danube-class is probably one of the most sensibly designed ships in all of Star Trek. The Romulan runabout is prettier, though.

There's the shuttle which was used by Picard and Worf in Insurrection to catch Data. That's only 2/3rd's as long and tall as the Danube, but looks sizable enough to act as a runabout.

http://www.ditl.org/index.php?daymain=/picship.php?fedtype11&1

Then there's the Mission Scout, which is slightly larger than a Danube.

http://www.ditl.org/index.php?daymain=/pagship.php?fedscout

Yeah, the only starfleet smallcraft we see with outswept nacelles like that is the Calypso when she scrapes herself off the bottom of the big E's main torpedo launcher, and that's probably only because she's on the outside of the hull, and has the space to get away with that. From the Danube to the Delta Flier to the Type 11, to the 6's, 5's, 9's, all of them keep their nacelles close, and their outer hulls closer.

Good point. The pylons could fold like this, below.

On the other hand, the ship may be just large enough not to need the ability to land in a shuttle bay. I think it's shape is good enough that it could hit warp 9 or better. This would make it some sort of courier. If it isn't supposed to land in shuttle bays, then pushing the nacelles back even further, and maybe outward might make sense and look good.



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I always thought the point of the runabouts was to be something like a warp-capable jeep for larger starships and stations to carry. I do really like this design, though.

I like the design too, it's why I'm getting crazy over it.

Think you can share the design of the pregnant whale?

The whale is great! It has a super angry face.

All it needs is a better profile for the nose, longer nacelles, and wider nacelle spacing. Maybe more of a back hump for the core, too.

If you throw in the phaser arrays that the Mission Scout has, fore and aft, it could be perfect.

However, at that size, it really is a frigate. I saw this design at Scifi-meshes that is very similar. I modified the images to my liking, so it's not the original. It's a corvette.

It needs a better profile for the nose. Do what the Danube-class does; create a smooth nose and then basically 'cut out' holes for the portholes.