Hey everyone, Did this one last month, finally got around to posting it... goes out to all the fans of late classic space and playability!

This is a mid-sized Explorien ship made for intergalactic exploratory missions seeking planets with life or key resources. My goal was to fit in as much playability as possible in an aesthetically pleasing package. But first, I'd like to introduce the crew in front of its main play function, an actuated elevator cargo bay!

Here is a list of features within the four main areas

 - livable conditions for all four crew members
   - 2 floor modular interior with 4x sleeping chambers on lower level
   - biomedical lab
   - 4 seat lounge
   - bathroom with shower

 - large cargo bay with surface exporation and assessment equipment
   - play function to open back and lower entire cargo bay as elevator via linear actuators
   - working airlock to enter cargo area from living space
   - Roll cage rover fits 3 minifigs and includes drilling /grabbing platform
   - tracked power suit with cutting torch and grabber
   - storage for 4x space suits and minifig equipment

 - communications and sensor arrays
   - Intergalactic comm dish
   - planetary sensors for life/resource assessment
   - intragalactic comm arrays for more detailed communication in local galaxy
   - 2x interior seats for comm/sensor operators

 - long and short range transportation equipment
   - 2x dual engines equipped made for long range warp and short range thrust
   - retractable landing gear
   - adjustable front and side landing/takeoff thrusters
   - front of ship equipped for navigator and pilot

The main shape and inner technic structure came about from 4 integral pieces I wanted to include for the sake of the Explorien theme, the front canopy, 2 SNOT large transparent panels in midsection, 16x16 white plate for removable roof to house comms, but most of all a large elevator cargo bay. Also visible are the retractable landing gear.

Upper level interior visible from outside, sides equipped with flight sensors and antennae as well as front thrusters

White dish is intergalactic communication to relay their findings to home base, but due to the limited information it can send and energy usage, there are a number of local arrays they use for local galaxy communication and sensor instruments 

Upper level of interior includes front navigation/pilot area, comm/sensor stations, biomedical lab, lounge, suit storage, and bathroom

Upper level removed to showcase the sleeping chambers for long range transport, the chambers are used for storage when not in use

Rear cargo area includes rover, power suit, airlock, and engines. The actuator function for the cargo elevator is visible form here, but can be operated when the vehicle is closed. Note that the sliding door for the airlock doubles as the door for the bathroom, assuming the crew would not need to use both at the same time!

Rear cargo bay open and lowered, rover and power suit rolling out to go exploring!

That's pretty sweet!  Very utilitarian design but still OK to look, and lots of fun features.  That little 6-wheeled rover is cool, too.  For some reason I kinda wish the big panels (with the Explorien logo) flipped down when the ship is in atmospheric flight mode or something like that just to really put it over-the-top, but this thing is great.  

Yeah, the thought crossed my mind. Those old panels (like the transparent ones) have very slim attachment points, so the mechanism would have to be bulky to reinforce those. I'm gonna ponder it again though, it could be very cool.

This is an awesome MOC

The long range transport is amazing, I like the back multi-purpose harm with the drill

 

Nice! I love the integration of large sections of technic skeleton! Looks sturdy as a rock, but sleek and utilitarian. Great work. 

~Insectoid Aristocrat

Impressive mix of 90s and modern pieces. I'm sharing this MOC on Lego Space Futuron/Exploriens/SP3 group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1421271881962817