A saucer in the hangar

There is room in Departure 2150 for a little affection for old science fiction. Vesper starts with a familiar idea: a polished disc, a raised central cabin, and the unmistakable outline of a flying saucer.

Let the metal do the work

The broad metallic hull gives reflections room to move across the surface. Panel divisions, vents, and the glazed cabin break up that shape without losing its simplicity.

It is a different character from the Meridian freighters. The silhouette is playful, while its materials and fittings give it a place alongside the other ships.

Something underneath

The underside has received its own attention. Three landing feet retract into wells, a boarding stair folds away, and fitted covers close over the openings. The sequence gives the ship a clear change between its landed and flying appearance.

Vesper’s equipment fit is still provisional. This pass has concentrated on its exterior and the motion of its legs, stairs, and covers.

Sometimes a ship begins with a freight brief. Sometimes it begins with wanting to see a silver saucer against a desert sky.