In the 1970′s, NASA Ames Research Center conducted studies which considered the possibilities of humans living in orbiting spaceships. Colonies were artistically designed and a number of futuristic renderings of the concepts were made.
Toroidal Colonies
Population: 10,000

Exterior view.

Cutaway view, exposing the interior.

Interior view.

Construction along the torus rim.

Model of torus colony.
Bernal Spheres
Population: 10,000. The Bernal Sphere is a point design with a spherical living area.

Exterior view

Interior including human powered flight

Cutaway view of Bernal Sphere.

Agricultural modules in cutaway view

Construction crew at work on the colony

Model of a Bernal Sphere
Cylindrical Colonies
Population: Over a million.

Exterior view of a double cylinder colony.

Interior view looking out through large windows.

Endcap view with suspension bridge.

Eclipse of the sun with view of clouds and vegetation.

Multiple two-cylinder colonies aimed toward the sun.
Art work: Don Davis – via nasa.gov
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