star trek starship enterprise studio model consists of three main sections : a saucer - shaped primary hull housing the command section ; a secondary, cigar - shaped hull ( engineering section ) connected beneath it by a large, slanting pylon ; and at the rear of the saucer, connected to the engineering hull by pylons, are the two long, projecting engine pods ; the series of small domes on the top center of the saucer is the bridge, the ship's command and nerve center containing all the computer controls ; the primary command hull could operate independently of the other components and contained its own impulse engine at the rear of the saucer but was limited to sub - light speeds ; overall, painted gray and gray - green.