Many Starfleet vessels, including Galaxy class starships such as the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D, or the USS Grail incorporate a standard safety feature-a saucer section can be separated in emergencies, allowing more flexibility and a greater safety for the entire crew

When Starfleet first began to chart the galaxy, and ships set off on long journeys away from Earth, exploring the unknown regions of space could be a lonely business. Early vessels were effectively carrying out tasks, but far more a place of work than leisure. Starfleet personnel had no but to leave their families behind, sometimes knowing it would be years before they would see their loved ones again. Faced with this prospect, many simply chose not to cultivate such relationships. A successful career in Starfleet effectively meant sacrificing a family.

The situation eventually changes, as Starships become more complex and more efficient. When vessels are as big as cities, and extended living quarters can easily be propelled through space using the energy available, the advantage of having a family onboard far outweighs any disadvantages. These days, Starfleet personnel can marry and bring up their children on a Starship, or even bring non-Starfleet spouses aboard ships with them, in the same way that military personnel of hundreds of years ago would have there family barracked with them on their bases. However, having so many vulnerable people, including children aboard ship does cause problems. While Starfleet officers might want their loved ones close by, they do they do not want to place them in unnecessary danger, and for this reason many such family ships incorporate a very important design: a saucer section which can be routinely separated by the rest of the ship, allowing Starfleet personnel to go into dangerous situations while there family's remain safely out of the line of fire, waiting to be retrieved when the danger has passed. In the same way, crew not specifically needed for the task at hand can also be removed from danger. In extreme situations, the saucer sections, the saucer section can even land on the surface of a planet. This is particularly useful in case of a warp core breach, which has been the cause of destruction of many ships. The warp core is located in the drive section, allowing the crew to evacuate to the saucer section and safely isolate themselves from the rest of the ship. As long as the saucer section safely distances itself from the explosion shockwave, it is then capable of traveling under its own engines to a nearby Starbase, and crew casualties are minimized.