Primary hull

The saucer section of a Template:ShipClass starship, after an emergency landing on a planet's surface

The primary hull, also known as the main section, saucer section or saucer module on some classes, is a major component of the overall hull structure. The primary hull is generally located above and to the front of the secondary hull. (TOS: "The Apple")

On many Federation starships, including the Constitution- and Template:ShipClasses, the primary hull is usually referred to as the saucer section, because it has a roughly circular shape. (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint")

The primary hull typically contains most vital systems on board a starship, including the main bridge, computer core, sickbay, science labs, crew quarters, and other crew support systems. It does not generally house the warp drive or any major engineering systems, although in many cases it does contain its own impulse drive.

Ships capable of saucer separation were designed for this purpose in order to have the primary hull serve as a lifeboat for the crew in the event of catastrophic damage to the warp core or a loss of antimatter containment. It is for this reason the majority of crew comforts are nestled into the primary hull.

The Galaxy class saucer section was also intended to act as a temporary means of escape for nonessential and civilian crewmembers while the secondary hull dealt with a dangerous situation. It can operate independently of the secondary hull and reconnect with its drive section after the resolution of a crisis. For this reason, it contains duplicates of many systems in the stardrive section, including a large shuttlebay/cargo bay complex, a torpedo launcher in the docking cavity for rear defense, and deflector array. (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint")

Saucer sections on some starships, like the Galaxy-class, are even equipped to make planetfall and landing, although not all are designed to return to space following a landing. (Star Trek Generations)