In sci-fi’s a lot of the time, the ship is aerodynamic, even if it never needs to enter the atmosphere. I guess because it looks better to the viewer.
But in reality, what would be the best/most efficient shape for a spaceship that never needs to enter an atmosphere? Does it matter at all?
I suppose a thin ship would be better because it would hit less particles and whatever else is out there in space. For that matter, maybe an aerodynamic looking ship would be better, as whatever hits the spaceship can slide off easier.
But if that weren’t an issue, ships might as well be squares?
Regardless of what is most practical, do you think that humans would design actual spaceships to look aerodynamic just to make them look more physically appealing?