Awesome progress. I envy large-scale builders, its something I always enjoy watching. Sp00n's snow dome on the new Hermitcraft, for instance. Simple, big, classy.
As for your frame shuttle, and recommendations on a cat-drive, I usually pick Rainwarrior's 4x4x4 for compactness. I've built that damn thing so often I can almost do it from memory. Here's the schematic gallery: http://imgur.com/a/EtsNO
That looks interesting, thanks for the link. I haven't built a single frame yet, but I'll give it a try. Too bad they can't turn, I guess when I make one I'll have to do a saucer shape
I would recommend using either red wool of some form of red xychorium blocks for a carpet in the corridors. Similar to the carpets in the U.S.S. Enterprise-E.
Except with brighter lights, wider corridors, and without the tubes in the middle, this was the only picture I found.
I'm such a long way from even thinking about the interior it's not funny! I think a minecrafty version of something like that is possible though using redpower lights and xycraft flooring.