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