After having considered a bit architecture in another post, I would like to think about the construction of a spaceship.
Now that many rely on GF spaceships, lets think basicly on a fitting appearance using some fundamental architectural insights.
We assume the Aliens are of advanced kind needing no special consideration on for instance the drag coefficient cw. Here is btw a little scheme: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drag_coefficient.
1. Stable forms
The most stable form from physics is spherical. It is similar to bodies in the universe from planets to stars.
Another stable form coming from rotating configurations is disc shape which is similar to greater bodies like galaxies and accretion discs.
A third almost highly stable form is the egg.
2. Life-as-ramification forms
This model is imitating basic life complexities in ramifications like dendrites, trees, river deltas etc.
The form of such ship would look like a tree with branches and many ramifications.
It needs lots of sophisticated effort to stabilize such systems.
3. Impression-making forms
Here the form serves outer appearances in order to impress those who watch the ship coming.
Such forms have also in human design examples - cars or planes with shark like appearance, teeth, demon look etc. done by design and colouring.
These forms are loved mostly by sifi movie designers, see Klingon ships.
4. Morphing and moving forms
Those forms imitate living creatures like worms, locusts, serpents etc.
5. Funny forms
This could be a design in order to make the watchers happy by laughing - spaghetti monster, night bowl, a big seeing eye, a bottle of Jägermeister.
You see, we leave the path of seriousness. But maybe this is the best way. Maybe you have some other ideas. I just wanted to play with a bit architecture in things which are not entirely unimaginable...
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