USS BETHEL

Specifications - page 2

BRIDGE MODULE

Full-size 20Kb. Source: ST:M

The bridge is a free-flying module, complete with its own maneuvering thrusters. The bridge module also contains two turbolift docking shafts for easy access to a starbase. The area around deck 1 also contains sensor pallets, formation lights and escape pod hatches.

The bridge is located at the very top of the ship. Below it can be seen the windows of Janeway's quarters and below them the messhall's windows. [#140 Good Shepherd]. Picture size 13Kb.

Immediately behind the bridge is an area which contains spacesuit lockers, an airlock, and a small office space (possibly the First Officer's and/or the Security & Tactical Officer's).

There is also a weapons locker for fast and ready access for when, say, the captain gives the order, "Arm yourselves"; but the weapons locker is not close enough for weapons to be fetched as an enemy beams on to the bridge - in [The Swarm] the bridge crew is already armed and thus able immediately to counter the members of the Swarm who materialise on the bridge.

The area behind the bridge also contains two escape pods. As there are only two, presumably most of the bridge crew must utilise escape pods further away if the order is given to abandon ship, as in [Year of Hell] whose events 'unhappened' and in [The Haunting of Deck 12] (footage of the release of escape pods is seen only in [Year of Hell]).

I conjecture that also in the area immediately behind the bridge is the head (toilet), should any of the bridge crew need it.

BETHEL'S "SPINE", AFT OF THE BRIDGE

Top view of part of the ship's upper dorsal spine aft of the bridge
Source: STMech

Full-size 45Kb. Source: ST:M

Aft of the bridge and down Bethel's "spine" the specification includes: two airlock doors (the pinkish part shown in the left picture) a large sensor platform immediately behind the bridge at the top of the ship's dorsal section (shown in the center of the picture) the aft-firing photon torpedo launchers umbilical connect ports

Part of the upper dorsal spine aft of the bridge Source: STMech

Paramount deliberately designed the docking port/airlock doors as copies of the studio stage 9 shuttlebay doors, and therefore also the holodeck doors, in case they ever had to build a piece of the exterior hull. The airlock doors are situated lower down the "spine" than the sensor platform and above the aft-firing photon torpedo launchers.

Full-size 32Kb. Source: ST:M

Full-size 42Kb. Source: ST:M

Below the docking port/airlock doors are twin photon torpedo launchers. This Starfleet design was first seen on USS Bethel. .

The umbilical connect ports are surface hard connect points for servicing and re-supply at Starbase-rated facilities - includes electroplasma system, optical data network, and cryogenic consumables.