Hull

The most important part of a starship is the hull. At hull tech level one you have a choice of only about 3 different types of hulls. At higher tech levels you may have as many as 20 different types of hulls, depending on the race you are playing.

The hull is the spaceframe that all other starship components are  mounted  on to form a ship. Hulls require anywhere from one to as many as ten engines depending on the type. As a rule smaller ships have only one or two engines. The amount of damage that a ship can withstand depends on the ship's mass. The more massive the ship the greater number of hits the ship can take and the more powerful the ship's shields will be.
Some hulls come with fighter bays. These ships can carry and launch fighters.
Some ships have areas that you can mount torpedo launchers. Starships that have torpedo launchers can carry and fire torpedoes at enemy ships. There are 10 different types of torpedoes and torpedo launchers.

Most ships can have beam weapons. These are the main weapons used on starships. There are 10 different types. Beam weapons are very useful at destroying enemy fighters as well as firing directly at the enemy ship.

From the starbase's starship starship building screen you are given a chance to pick the components that you wish to put together to form a ship. If you lack a part you can call a sub screen that allows you to build a new part, such as an engine, a weapon or even a starship hull. After you have selected all the parts to put together to form a new ship your plan is submitted to the starbase. Your new ship will be completed the following turn.