After establishing our core architecture, we've moved into Phase 2 of development: creating the fully explorable multi-deck spaceship interior. This is where our core philosophy—"the ship itself is the game"—truly comes to life. In this post, we'll dive deep into our design approach, the modular components we're building, and how we're creating believable spacecraft interiors that serve both gameplay and education.

Design Philosophy: Functional Over Decorative

When designing our spaceship interiors, we're following one core principle: every element must serve a purpose. This isn't a fantasy starship with gratuitous blinking lights and mysterious glowing crystals. Instead, we're grounding our design in real spacecraft architecture—taking inspiration from the International Space Station, SpaceX Dragon, NASA concepts, and realistic space habitat designs.

Our goal is to create spaces that feel both futuristic and believable. Every corridor, room, and station needs to make functional sense. When a player walks through engineering and sees life support systems, they should understand—visually—how those systems work. When they visit the observation deck, it should feel like a real place where crew would spend time watching the cosmos.

Multi-Deck Architecture

Deck Structure

Our spaceship features a five-deck layout, each serving distinct functional purposes:

Deck 1 - The Bridge: Command center, navigation controls, communication station, primary viewing windows, ship status overview
Deck 2 - Engineering: Life support monitoring and control, power distribution panels, engine monitoring, propulsion systems, system diagnostics
Deck 3 - Crew Quarters: Living spaces, galley/kitchen area, recreation space, personal areas that make the ship feel lived-in
Deck 4 - Observation Deck: Largest viewing windows in the ship, telescopic viewing equipment, seating for contemplation, scientific instruments
Deck 5 - Storage & Maintenance: Cargo areas, equipment storage, maintenance facilities, warp pod bay (on regular ships)

Vertical Navigation: Elevators and Stairwells

One of our key challenges was creating intuitive vertical navigation. Players need to move between decks seamlessly, and we want this to feel natural, not like teleportation between disconnected levels.

We've implemented a multi-deck elevator system that:

Provides smooth, realistic elevator travel between all five decks
Features call buttons on each deck
Shows current deck position and destination
Includes proper timing—elevators don't instantly transport players, but take realistic time to move between decks
Connects to emergency stairwells for alternative access (though elevators are the primary route)

The elevator system required careful attention to player experience. We needed to balance realism (actual travel time) with gameplay flow. Too fast feels unrealistic; too slow becomes frustrating. Our current implementation uses a 3-4 second travel time between adjacent decks, which feels both believable and maintains engagement.

Modular Design Approach

Why Modularity Matters

Early in our design process, we realized we'd need multiple ship interiors—regular ships, warp-capable ships, and potentially different ship classes in the future. Rather than building each from scratch, we've adopted a modular component system.

Our modular approach allows us to:

Reuse Components: A corridor section built once can be used throughout different ship types
Maintain Consistency: Common elements (doors, terminals, lighting fixtures) look the same across the ship
Speed Development: Once a door system works, we can place doors anywhere
Enable Variation: Different ship types can mix and match components while maintaining design language

Key Modular Components

We've broken down our ship into reusable building blocks:

Corridor Segments: Straight sections, T-junctions, corners, intersections—the basic building blocks of ship layout
Room Modules: Standardized room sizes and layouts that can be combined in different ways
Door Systems: Sliding doors (automatic and manual) that work consistently across all ship areas
Terminal Stations: Interactive display terminals that can be configured for different purposes (navigation, systems monitoring, scientific data)
Window Segments: Standardized observation windows that can be placed in corridors or rooms
Lighting Fixtures: Consistent lighting elements that maintain the ship's visual identity

Real-World Inspiration

International Space Station (ISS)

The ISS has been an invaluable reference for our design. Key elements we've adapted:

Functional Layout: Every module serves a purpose—science, habitation, storage, life support
Cable Management: Real spacecraft have extensive cable runs and infrastructure—we're incorporating visible conduits and panels
Handrails and Grab Handles: Essential in zero-g environments, but also useful for navigation and visual interest
Modular Construction: The ISS was built from modules—our ships use the same principle
Equipment Storage: Real space stations have equipment secured everywhere—we're including secured storage panels and equipment mounts

SpaceX and Modern Spacecraft

Modern commercial space vehicles have influenced our aesthetic:

Clean, Minimal Design: SpaceX Dragon's interior shows how modern spacecraft favor clean lines and functional surfaces
Touchscreen Interfaces: Contemporary spacecraft use digital displays extensively—our terminals reflect this
Efficient Use of Space: Every cubic meter matters in space—our designs maximize functionality in compact spaces

Functional Stations and Areas

The Bridge: Command Center

The bridge serves as the primary navigation and control center. Key design elements include:

Primary Navigation Console: Large central display showing ship position, trajectory, and solar system view
Communication Station: Terminal for ship-to-station communications
Forward Viewing Windows: Large windows providing views of space ahead
Status Overview Displays: Ship-wide system status at a glance
Command Seating: Functional seating positioned for optimal viewing of all displays

We've designed the bridge to feel functional yet comfortable. It's the "home base" of the ship, where players can orient themselves and understand their position in space.

Engineering: The Ship's Heart

Engineering is where the ship's systems come together. Our design emphasizes visibility and monitoring:

Life Support Control Panels: Large displays showing oxygen levels, CO2 scrubbing, temperature, humidity
Power Distribution Center: Visual representation of power flow through the ship
Engine Monitoring Station: Propulsion system status, fuel levels, trajectory calculations
System Diagnostics Terminal: Deep dive into any ship system
Equipment Access Panels: Removable panels showing internal systems (educational value)

Engineering feels busier and more technical than other areas. More conduits, more panels, more visible infrastructure. This is where the "guts" of the ship are visible and accessible.

Crew Quarters: Making It Feel Lived-In

To make the ship feel believable, we need areas that show human habitation:

Personal Quarters: Individual crew spaces with personal effects and sleeping areas
Galley/Kitchen: Food preparation area with storage and dining space
Recreation Area: Space for relaxation, exercise, or social interaction
Sanitation Facilities: Washrooms and hygiene facilities (realistic but not overly detailed)

These areas add humanity to the ship. They show that people live here, not just operate systems. We're careful not to overdo it—space is limited, so these areas are compact but comfortable.

Observation Deck: The Wonder of Space

The observation deck is designed for contemplation and wonder:

Panoramic Windows: Largest windows in the ship, providing expansive views
Seating Areas: Comfortable seating positioned for optimal viewing
Telescopic Equipment: Scientific instruments for detailed observation
Information Displays: Terminals showing what players are observing (planet names, distances, etc.)

This is the contemplative heart of the ship—where players can truly appreciate the scale and beauty of space. The design emphasizes openness and connection to the cosmos.

Ship Type Variations

Regular Ships (Real-Time Travel)

Regular ships include a special feature: the Warp Pod Bay on Deck 5. This area contains special pods that allow players to warp directly to Earth station if they wish to end their scenic journey early. The pod bay:

Features multiple warp pods for player use
Has clear signage directing players to the area
Includes pod activation interfaces
Provides an escape option without breaking immersion (pods are part of the ship's design, not a menu)

Warp-Capable Ships

Warp ships have a different internal layout focusing on:

Warp Drive Engineering: Additional engineering area showing warp core and field generators
Enhanced Navigation: More sophisticated navigation systems for warp calculations
Different Proportions: Slightly different layout optimized for faster travel
No Warp Pod Bay: Warp ships don't need escape pods—they're already fast

Wayfinding and Navigation

With a multi-deck ship, players need clear navigation aids. We've implemented:

Clear Signage: Deck numbers, room labels, directional indicators
Color Coding: Different deck levels use subtle color variations to aid orientation
Consistent Landmarks: Unique features at key intersections help players orient themselves
Elevator Call Displays: Show current deck and available destinations

We want players to learn the ship layout naturally through exploration, not through constant map checking. Good wayfinding helps players build a mental map of the ship over time.

Technical Implementation

World Partition and Seamless Interiors

We're leveraging Unreal Engine 5's World Partition system to create seamless ship interiors without loading screens. This means:

The entire ship interior exists in one continuous world
No loading between decks or areas
Smooth transitions as players move through the ship
Optimized streaming for performance

Lighting with Lumen

Unreal Engine 5's Lumen Global Illumination system is perfect for ship interiors. We're using it to:

Create realistic interior lighting from fixtures and displays
Show dramatic contrast between interior spaces and the void of space through windows
Maintain consistent lighting as players move between areas
Add atmosphere and mood without excessive manual setup

Performance Considerations

Building detailed interiors requires attention to performance:

LOD Systems: Distance-based level of detail for complex geometry
Optimized Materials: Efficient shaders that look good but don't kill performance
Culling: Smart culling of objects not visible to the player
Lighting Optimization: Strategic use of baked and dynamic lighting

Current Progress

As of this blog post, we've completed:

✅ Complete deck layouts for all five levels
✅ Modular component library (corridors, rooms, doors, windows)
✅ Elevator system fully functional
✅ Door systems (sliding doors, automatic/manual operation)
✅ Basic lighting setup using Lumen
✅ Wayfinding signage system
✅ All major areas constructed (bridge, engineering, crew quarters, observation deck, storage)
✅ Warp pod bay on regular ships
✅ Initial terminal placement (detailed terminal interfaces coming in Phase 4)

What's Next

With the ship interior structure complete, we're moving into Phase 3: Solar System Implementation. This includes:

Building the orbital mechanics system
Implementing the space station network (one station per planet)
Creating the navigation computer system
Adding external views from ship windows
Implementing the departure/arrival board systems on stations

The ship interior is now ready to serve as the stage for space exploration. In our next post, we'll dive into how we're creating the solar system and space station network that players will travel through.

Design Insights for Fellow Developers

If you're working on similar projects, here are some lessons we've learned:

Start with Function: Design spaces based on purpose first, aesthetics second
Build Modular: Reusable components save enormous amounts of development time
Reference Real Designs: Real spacecraft provide better inspiration than sci-fi movies
Test Navigation Early: Get players moving through spaces as soon as possible to identify wayfinding issues
Balance Detail and Performance: Rich detail is great, but not if it kills framerate
Think Vertical: Multi-deck layouts add complexity but create more interesting spaces

Conclusion

Creating the ship interior has been one of the most rewarding parts of development. Seeing players (in our testing) naturally explore the spaces, discover new areas, and build familiarity with the ship layout validates our design approach.

The ship is no longer just a collection of rooms—it's a place. A place where players can relax, explore, learn, and experience the wonder of space travel. Every corridor tells a story. Every room serves a purpose. Every window frames the cosmos.

In our next blog post, we'll explore how we're building the solar system that this ship will travel through, and the space stations where players will begin and end their journeys.

Stay tuned for more updates, and feel free to share your thoughts on spaceship interior design. What makes a spaceship feel real to you? What elements would you want to see in an explorable ship interior?

Resources & References:

International Space Station Tour: NASA ISS
SpaceX Dragon Interior: SpaceX Dragon
Unreal Engine 5 World Partition: UE5 Documentation
Lumen Global Illumination: Lumen Documentation

Disclaimer

The information provided herein is for general informational purposes only and is subject to change without prior notice. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy and timeliness, no guarantees can be made regarding the completeness, reliability, or currency of the content. Please verify all details independently before making any decisions based on this material.

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Spaceship Simulation: Ship Interior Design December 14, 2025