I personally like the Corvo as it currently stand, it is designed to be a deep space explorer hence the size for the crew and armaments to repel unknown attacks.
I don't understand why an open research ship for civilians still needs "frigate" armaments, its almost like arming an hospital ship when it isn't needed. As an idea, why not reuse one of the transport already instead? Re-role civilian transport ships like serenity or a re-purposed liner if its a mobile research station, or even create a new ship completely for that role ?
