Space Colony Art from the 1970s


Three space colony summer studies were conducted at NASA Ames in the 1970s. A number of artistic renderings of the concepts were made. These have been scanned and are available here as small, medium, large, and publication quality jpeg images. Scans by David Brandt-Erichsen.

Images are not copyrighted. Please credit photos to NASA Ames Research Center.
NASA image use policy.


Toroidal Colonies

Population: 10,000

Exterior view. Art work: Don Davis.
Torus Exterior Small
450 pixels
58 KB
Medium
900 pixels
143 KB
Large
1920 pixels
326 KB
Publication Quality
5696 pixels
3.7 MB
NASA ID Number
AC76-0525

Cutaway view, exposing the interior. Art work: Rick Guidice.
Torus Cutaway Small
450 pixels
120 KB
Medium
900 pixels
312 KB
Large
1920 pixels
719 KB
Publication Quality
5725 pixels
5.3 MB
NASA ID Number
AC75-1086-1

Interior view. Art work: Don Davis.
Torus Interior Small
450 pixels
126 KB
Medium
900 pixels
348 KB
Large
1920 pixels
853 KB
Publication Quality
5718 pixels
6.9 MB
NASA ID Number
AC75-2621

Construction along the torus rim. Art work: Don Davis.
Torus Construction Small
450 pixels
85 KB
Medium
900 pixels
233 KB
Large
1920 pixels
602 KB
Publication Quality
5737 pixels
5.2 MB
NASA ID Number
AC75-1886

Model of torus colony.
Torus Model Small
450 pixels
35 KB
Medium
900 pixels
73 KB
Large
1920 pixels
181 KB
Publication Quality
5696 pixels
2.7 MB
NASA ID Number
AC76-0492.1


Bernal Spheres

Population: 10,000. The Bernal Sphere is a point design with a spherical living area.

Exterior view. Art work: Rick Guidice.
Bernal Exterior Small
450 pixels
81 KB
Medium
900 pixels
201 KB
Large
1920 pixels
488 KB
Publication Quality
5688 pixels
5.5 MB
NASA ID Number
AC76-0965

Interior including human powered flight. Art work: Rick Guidice.
Bernal Interior Small
450 pixels
72 KB
Medium
900 pixels
367 KB
Large
1920 pixels
962 KB
Publication Quality
5716 pixels
7.2 MB
NASA ID Number
AC76-0628

Cutaway view of Bernal Sphere. Art work: Rick Guidice.
Bernal Cutaway Small
450 pixels
72 KB
Medium
900 pixels
270 KB
Large
1920 pixels
698 KB
Publication Quality
5732 pixels
5.7 MB
NASA ID Number
AC76-1089

Agricultural modules in cutaway view (multiple toroids). Art work: Rick Guidice.
Bernal Agriculture Small
450 pixels
82 KB
Medium
900 pixels
206 KB
Large
1920 pixels
483 KB
Publication Quality
5726 pixels
4.1 MB
NASA ID Number
AC78-0330-4

Construction crew at work on the colony. Art work: Don Davis.
Bernal Construction Small
450 pixels
144 KB
Medium
900 pixels
419 KB
Large
1920 pixels
1.1 MB
Publication Quality
5716 pixels
8.0 MB
NASA ID Number
AC76-1288

Model of a Bernal Sphere.
Bernal Construction Small
450 pixels
36 KB
Medium
900 pixels
73 KB
Large
1920 pixels
185 KB
Publication Quality
5670 pixels
3.1 MB
NASA ID Number
AC76-0852

Cylindrical Colonies

Population: Over a million.

Exterior view of a double cylinder colony. Art work: Rick Guidice.
Cylinder Exterior Small
450 pixels
84 KB
Medium
900 pixels
205 KB
Large
1920 pixels
486 KB
Publication Quality
5728 pixels
4.4 MB
NASA ID Number
AC75-1085

Interior view looking out through large windows. Art work: Rick Guidice.
Cylinder Interior Small
450 pixels
122 KB
Medium
900 pixels
326 KB
Large
1920 pixels
824 KB
Publication Quality
5732 pixels
6.1 MB
NASA ID Number
AC75-1086

Endcap view with suspension bridge. Art work: Don Davis.
Cylinder Endcap Small
450 pixels
110 KB
Medium
900 pixels
323 KB
Large
1920 pixels
852 KB
Publication Quality
5729 pixels
6.8 MB
NASA ID Number
AC75-1883

Eclipse of the sun with view of clouds and vegetation. Art work: Don Davis.
Cylinder Eclipse Small
450 pixels
117 KB
Medium
900 pixels
284 KB
Large
1920 pixels
676 KB
Publication Quality
5728 pixels
6.1 MB
NASA ID Number
AC75-1920

Multiple two-cylinder colonies aimed toward the sun.
Cylinder Multiple Small
450 pixels
59 KB
Medium
900 pixels
116 KB
Large
1920 pixels
249 KB
Publication Quality
5722 pixels
3.1 MB
NASA ID Number
AC75-1921

Please credit photos to NASA Ames Research Center.


Space Settlement Home Page

Author: Bryan Yager


Curator: Al Globus
If you find any errors on this page contact Al Globus.
Space Settlement hompage

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