oh yeah lol i knew id forgotten something... i did put it on the nacelles though
my history/shop description is along the following lines:
During the design and construction of the USS Enterprise D, a Galaxy Class ship, there was some concern as to the massive amount of resources needed for such ships to be constructed and manned, also as tensions in the alpha quadrant were beginning to slide away from peace starfleet began looking into new designs for a proposed Nova Class ship. These ships would generally be smaller than the large Galaxy Class and as such would require less resources manpower.
The first Nova Class prototype the NX 73515 was based on a design featuring interchangeable saucer segments, ten were initially planned for but that was reduced to six. The ship itself was to have approximately 40% less internal volume than the Galaxy Class though with the use of mission specific saucer segments it was to carry out the same role as it predecessor.
As can be surmised the first Nova Class prototype was never officially utilised as the basis for fourth coming starships, this design was scrapped in favour of a more cur-vincular design consisting of a almost triangular shaped saucer.
Eventually the Prototype was commissioned though its design is completely different from the preceding Nova Class starships and as a result of its late commissioning its registry number is significantly higher than other ships of the Nova Class design such as the USS Equinox or even the USS Rhode Island.
This original USS Nova has seen service and as there are some prefabricated hull segments she has seen use in many different roles.
The mission segments available are:
Standard - these consist of a standard hull segment outfitted with a mix of equipment and rooms such as the Galaxy Class has though on a smaller scale.
Tactical - these segments utilise advancements in weapons and shields. The central front segments are equipped with prototype Pulse Phasers that are found on the Defiant Class escorts vessels, though of less power. The aft port and starboard most segments, those closest to the core of the ship are fitted with advanced shield systems effectively giving Trinary Shielding (an increase of 39% from each to the shield strength). The final two segments are heavily armoured due to the two extra power cores, these are not warp cores per se as they could never under normal circumstances propel the ship but they are antimatter power cores utilised by the advanced shield generators and the prototype Pulse Phasers.
Medical - The segments are all dedicated to sick bays and medical research labs.
Engineering - These segments are basically cargo bays, shuttle bays and WorkerBee Bays and allow for the Starfleet Core of Engineers to work on huge projects.
Science - These segments are outfitted with large advanced sensor pallets and science labs providing unprecedented Scientific Exploration duties.