I think that the tradeoffs between a utilitiarian and aesthetic rescue craft have been debated and are understood so I won't push the issue.
A few other comments:
1. It appears that there is an overabundance of thrusters relative to the amount of fuel for liftoff and landing that would need to be accommodated. You might want to verify with Ken Galal, but as I recall for most fuels, landing on the lunar surface from lunar orbit yields a useful payload of about half the original mass. That is, fuel, structure, tanks, pumps, engines, etc., make up half the mass. The situation gets worse if you also need fuel for lifting off the lunar surface. Bottom line, I would have fewer thrusters and more room for fuel. The hatch just makes it look like most of the volume is for crew.
2. The larger arms look for like grapplers rather than landing legs. I'm not sure how this vehicle will land, but if it is intended to land almost anywhere on the lunar surface, the legs would probably be beefier and the landing pads larger.
3. If there are to be grapplers, then I suspect they might be closer to the door (hatch), espeically if there if air-tight docking with the ailing spacecraft is possible. Some other coupling device at the hatch would be an alternative.
4. If any crew transfer in space is to be through undocked hatches, you will need some handles or other crew attachment devices.
5. The craft looks short on windows, although you could argue that the vehicle is covered with radar and video cameras.
Can't wait for the movie.
Roger
-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Jeroen Lapre <jeroen@ilm.com>
> Dear Maelstrom II cast, crew, consultants and friends,
>
> 3D maya modeler, Jon Varner, has started the 3D model!
>
> http://www.distant-galaxy.com/maelstrom2/MaelstromIIRescueSpaceCraftDesign.html
>
> As you may gather from the feedback thread, the final design is subject
> to modification.
>
> Cheers
> -jeroen
>
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