When the Rebans first made contact with humans in the year 2127, they had already achieved interplanetary travel. Inhabiting Icin, the fourth planet of the Räb System, the Rebans had established small colonies on two other planets within their ten-planet star system and were conducting mining operations in the asteroid belt.

Back in 2121, they had begun construction of the Uur-Lia, their first interstellar spacecraft, which was intended to reach a neighboring star system after a 15-year journey. By the time humans contacted them in 2127, the ship was about a year away from completion—but this encounter changed everything.

With access to faster-than-light (FTL) technology provided by humanity, it wasn't long before the Rebans, in cooperation with humans, began working on their first FTL-capable ship: the Ukumka.

Construction of the Ukumka began in 2132 and took seven years to complete. The vessel combined both Reban and human technologies. Its overall structure featured a central engine torus inspired by human designs, while the cylindrical body reflected the use of pre-existing Reban construction methods. At its core was a Hyperjump Drive, a simpler and older form of FTL propulsion gradually being phased out on human ships in favor of the more advanced Linear Drive. However, the straightforward nature of the Hyperjump Drive made it an ideal starting point for the Rebans’ first ventures into interstellar travel.

The Ukumka featured a hull with a diameter of 20 meters, while its prominent engine torus extended to 40 meters across. The ship measured 114 meters in total length. Its internal structure was meticulously organized, each of its 13 main decks serving a distinct purpose in supporting the vessel's operations, crew comfort, and scientific objectives.

• Deck 0 formed the base of the ship, housing the landing legs, water and oxygen processing units, and essential life support systems. These were designed for planetary landings, resource recycling, and sustaining long-term missions.
• Deck 1 featured the ground hangar, where a rugged all-terrain vehicle was stored for planetary exploration. The vehicle was equipped to traverse diverse environments, from icy terrain to desert expanses.
• Deck 2 held the fuel tanks, storing liquid hydrogen and helium isotopes used by the fusion reactors and propulsion systems.
• Deck 3 was home to the heart of the ship: the FTL Drive. Shielded and heavily monitored, this deck was restricted to senior engineers and the human advisors trained in hyperjump technology.
• Deck 4 contained the main hangar, where a small shuttlecraft was docked for short-range missions. This deck also housed force field generators used during docking and for external cargo handling.
• Deck 5, the lower engine torus, included the main engines and fusion reactors, which powered everything from propulsion to ship-wide systems.
• Deck 6, the upper engine torus, held additional engines, the engine control room, and anti-gravity projectors. The anti-gravity systems stabilized the ship during maneuvers and while in orbit.
• Deck 7 was a crew deck, equipped with standard sleeping quarters and a small hospital unit for medical emergencies and basic treatment.
• Deck 8 was also a crew deck but added a touch of comfort with its spa area, a nod to Reban culture that emphasized wellness during long journeys. It featured steam chambers and rest pods that also intrigued human visitors.
• Deck 9 served as the ship’s cafeteria and galley, and quickly became one of the most beloved places aboard the Ukumka. At its heart was a fully equipped kitchen, where a talented Reban chef—renowned for their creativity—prepared a variety of flavorful and nourishing meals for the crew. Blending traditional Reban dishes with newly learned human recipes, the chef's creations brought comfort and morale to both species. While snack dispensers were still available for quick bites, the kitchen became a daily gathering point. Communal tables encouraged conversation and camaraderie, making Deck 10 not just a place to eat, but a cornerstone of social life aboard the ship.
• Deck 10, the science deck, was outfitted with advanced laboratories, an observatory dome for deep-space study, and cabins for human advisors. Many pivotal discoveries during the ship’s missions were born on this deck.
• Deck 11, the command deck, housed the main control room. From here, the captain and senior officers coordinated navigation, communications, and mission strategy. It offered a panoramic digital interface with real-time data feeds from all systems.
• Deck 12, the pole deck, was the ship’s uppermost level, equipped with a defensive gun turret. While the Ukumka was primarily an exploration vessel, minimal armaments were installed as a precautionary measure for unknown encounters.

Together, these decks made the Ukumka not just a spacecraft, but a symbol of ambition, unity, and exploration—designed with a mix of functionality, adaptability, and Reban cultural identity.

Compared to contemporary human spacecraft, the Ukumka had relatively modest performance. Its maximum acceleration was only 150 km/s²—roughly a quarter of what the fastest human ships could achieve. The ship's FTL drive had a maximum operational range of approximately 4,500 light-years before requiring major refurbishment. Each individual hyperjump could span between 20 and 25 light-years.

The crew consisted of 33 Rebans and four human advisors, who provided guidance on the operation and maintenance of the FTL systems. As an experimental and exploratory vessel, the Ukumka was outfitted with a small hangar housing a tender spacecraft, as well as multiple research laboratories dedicated to scientific discovery.

In line with Reban cultural preferences, snack dispensers were installed on nearly every deck—an unusual feature that initially puzzled the human advisors, who found the constant availability of small treats both curious and charming.

The Ukumka was officially completed in 2139 and launched with great ceremony. To mark the occasion, the Terranian Explorer EX-1—the same ship that had first discovered the Räb System twelve years earlier—returned to Icin. Among its distinguished passengers was the former commander of the EX-1, who attended as an honored guest of the Reban government.

The Ukumka’s maiden FTL jump took it to the Päft System, located 1.2 light-years from the Räb System and chosen as the initial destination for Reban interstellar exploration. Its target was the third planet, home to a small Reban colony established years earlier. Although contact with the colony had already been maintained through a few FTL-capable ships acquired from humans, establishing this connection using a vessel built entirely by Rebans was seen as a historic milestone—one that sparked national pride and celebration across Icin.

Following its successful mission to Päft, the Ukumka set course for Terra, humanity’s homeworld. The journey, lasting three months, marked the first Reban visit to Earth and symbolized the deepening alliance between the two civilizations. The visit was filled with diplomatic meetings, cultural exchanges, and scientific collaborations that helped lay the groundwork for future joint ventures.

Over the course of 35 years, the Ukumka remained in active service. During that time, Reban space technology advanced dramatically, spurred on by human collaboration and their own rapid innovation. Although the ship eventually became outdated in every technical aspect, it retained immense symbolic value.

When its service finally came to an end, the Ukumka was retired with honor. It was carefully preserved and placed at the heart of Friendship Park, located in the capital city on Icin. Today, the ship stands as a monument to the Rebans’ first bold steps into the stars—a testament to ambition, unity, and the spirit of interstellar cooperation.

Inspired by the classic cutaway drawings (Risszeichnungen) from the Perry Rhodan series, I set out to create a full 3D version of the Ukumka.

The model was entirely designed in Tinkercad and 3D printed using both FDM and resin printers. The FDM printer was used to produce the decks, outer hull, and interior walls, while the more detailed components—such as machinery, equipment, and the Reban figures—were printed with the resin printer for finer resolution.

Built at a 1:200 scale, the model has a diameter of 10 cm (with the engine torus extending to 20 cm) and a total height of nearly 60 cm.

Construction was done deck by deck, with each level featuring a fully detailed interior. The outer hull includes strategically placed openings, allowing viewers to peek inside and explore the internal layout. The model is also modular—it can be disassembled between decks for easier transport or to showcase the individual sections more closely.