What should spaceships look like?

[Gerald]

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/345/54312434foss21horiz624.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/714/54312434foss21horiz624.jpg/)

As the next generation of spaceships is being conceived, should shuttle designers take their inspiration from sci-fi illustrators?

Generations of schoolchildren, openly, and many adults, perhaps more guardedly, have delighted in fantastical depictions of space travel.

From Star Wars back to 2001: A Space Odyssey and even further back to comic hero Dan Dare and Victorian illustrations for the stories of Jules Verne and HG Wells, the way spaceships should look has been an important issue - before the first rocket booster ever fired.

But the fanciful reputation of sci-fi novels and films aside, the illustration of spacecraft might actually have a realistic place in the design of future vessels.

The line has often been blurred between the realm of the sci-fi artist and the real spacecraft designers.

Often referred to as the father of modern space art, Chesley Bonestell had a significant impact on not only science fiction illustration, but the whole of the American space programme.

German rocket developer and champion of space exploration Dr Wernher von Braun, who was inspired by the works of Verne and Wells, commissioned Bonestell to illustrate his spaceflight concepts in a 1952 issue of Collier's Weekly magazine.

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/6044/542729732001rex624.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/683/542729732001rex624.jpg/)

The epic film 2001: A Space Odyssey influenced Chris Foss and other space artists.

The combination of von Braun's technology and Bonestell's artistic vision made the science come alive for the layman readers. Of course, the tax dollars and votes of those inspired layman readers would be needed to realise ambitious space projects.

The Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists now honours work in the sci-fi and fantasy art industry with its annual Chesley Awards.

Harry Lange was a German artist who got his start in military flight manual illustrations and was appointed to lead the future projects section for Nasa. He and his team found themselves illustrating von Braun's ideas to promote his vision of a US space station. Lange ended up as production designer on Stanley Kubrick's 2001.

On the other hand it's hard to imagine the designs of Chris Foss, the subject of a new retrospective book, Hardware: The Definitive SF Works of Chris Foss, easily crossing the line into the real world of space travel. With Picasso as an inspiration, Foss created book covers that pioneered a new style of space art, featuring prominently placed gigantic colourful craft in swirling spacescapes.

Marked with mysterious symbols and complex patterns, his illustrations have breathed life into sci-fi writings of everyone from Isaac Asimov to EE "Doc" Smith and AE van Vogt. Foss was also commissioned to do work for Alien, Superman and Alejandro Jodorowsky's unmade film version of Dune.

Seeing Kubrick's 2001 made a lasting impression on his work, as did the Cold War years and the bleakness of some of the derelict areas of post-war Britain. "People were really looking for a new kind of explosion," says Foss. "Humans want hope. They want something to believe in."

So is it fanciful to imagine Foss's ships - or those of equally florid artists - being like Bonestell's and infiltrating real design?

Perhaps not if a new age of privately-financed space travel needs to rally support in the same way von Braun and Bonestell did.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14291992

Note: 28 July 2011 Last updated at 07:11 GMT

[yubba]

Sad, about as close, any of us are going to get to American spaceflight, is playin Orbiter.

[Feuer Frei!]

Not like the 2 pics in this article, that's for sure :haha:

[TLAM Strike]

Not like the 2 pics in this article, that's for sure :haha:
Whats wrong with the USS Discovery? Its is is one of the most scientifically accurate spacecraft ever to be filmed. :stare:

[Torplexed]

With almost fifty years of development behind it, here's your futuristic space ship. Get in quick, the meter's running.

http://timetoeatthedogs.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/soyuz.jpg http://www.daviddarling.info/images/Soyuz_1.jpg

[Blacklight]

And it's only something like 15 million for a seat or something like that ! Get them while they're hot !

[gimpy117]

http://free.desktopwallpaper.org/2_Star_Trek_wallpaper_USS_Enterprise_in_Earth_orbi t_computerdestkop_x-393170.jpeg

[Anthony W.]

Well, wish me luck getting into the astronaut program. That's my goal.

[Platapus]

With almost fifty years of development behind it, here's your futuristic space ship. Get in quick, the meter's running.

http://timetoeatthedogs.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/soyuz.jpg http://www.daviddarling.info/images/Soyuz_1.jpg

It is an awesome system. Simple proven design that is reliable. :yeah:

[danlisa]

Spaceships can be a cube for all it matters. (no, not the Borg :shifty:)

Do they need to conform to a 'design' as it matters little in a vacuum?

Now, launch craft (earth to space) is a different matter. First and foremost, any launch craft should be able to counter the re-entry angle and heat build up by design.

Which brings me to another question, why did NASA decide to develop a 'free fall' re-entry craft. Surely (while costly on fuel) a powered decent minimises the requirement for a fixed re-entry angle and the frictional heat generated on the craft.

[Dowly]

The Event Horizon of course!
http://spaceship.brainiac.com/MiniModelMadness/EventHorizon.jpg
(*Hell gate sold separately)

[papa_smurf]

Spaceships can be a cube for all it matters. (no, not the Borg :shifty:)

Do they need to conform to a 'design' as it matters little in a vacuum?

Now, launch craft (earth to space) is a different matter. First and foremost, any launch craft should be able to counter the re-entry angle and heat build up by design.

Which brings me to another question, why did NASA decide to develop a 'free fall' re-entry craft. Surely (while costly on fuel) a powered decent minimises the requirement for a fixed re-entry angle and the frictional heat generated on the craft.

Well a earth to space craft can be a simple design that gets crew/etc to a much larger ship thats in orbit, something akin to the shuttles used in babylon5:
http://www.foundation3d.com/gallery/data/500/medium/B5_EA_Shuttle.jpg

[Jimbuna]

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/5784/tardispack1previewbyall.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/34/tardispack1previewbyall.jpg/)

[danasan]

I bet passengers paying 15 million would prefer a model which provides a better view

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/118/301332027_68047135f8_z.jpg

The shape of the top could offer some advantages regarding the re-entrance as well...

[razark]

Which brings me to another question, why did NASA decide to develop a 'free fall' re-entry craft. Surely (while costly on fuel) a powered decent minimises the requirement for a fixed re-entry angle and the frictional heat generated on the craft.
Using a powered decent system would increase the complexity, size, and weight of the vehicle. The weight is a major factor. Every bit of the spacecraft that comes down must have first been lifted to space. Why go to the effort of lifting a powered decent system if you can get away with not using one? You can use the weight saved for other payload of equipment.

[Gerald]

Well a earth to space craft can be a simple design that gets crew/etc to a much larger ship thats in orbit, something akin to the shuttles used in babylon5:
http://www.foundation3d.com/gallery/data/500/medium/B5_EA_Shuttle.jpg :up:

[Betonov]

I found Avatar's interstellar ship quite down to earth. Looks like something we'd build in a 100 years (not considering the total lack of willingness to actualy do it)

http://www.benprocter.com/picture/venturestar_3dmodel_wip_081116.0052_adj.jpg?pictur eId=8071348&asGalleryImage=true

[breadcatcher101]

I've always favored the Klingon Bird of Prey.

Let's give that a go.

[AVGWarhawk]

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/5784/tardispack1previewbyall.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/34/tardispack1previewbyall.jpg/)

:har:

[AVGWarhawk]

http://carsties.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/space-ship.jpg

[AVGWarhawk]

http://www.hairballmedia.com/battle_spaceship_2.jpg

[AVGWarhawk]

http://www.shipschematics.net/yamato/images/edf/battleship_greatyamato.jpg

[krashkart]

^^ I know I've seen an addon of that somewhere. :hmmm::up:


Also:

http://www.jefflynnesongs.com/sweettalkinwoman/OutOfTheBlueUSA.jpg

[CaptainMattJ.]

http://www.kandlelight.net/geocaching/DrEvils_CryogenicRocket.jpg

[frau kaleun]

Well, wish me luck getting into the astronaut program. That's my goal.

Is that before or after you run for Senator? :hmmm:

Back on topic...

http://zombiegamer.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/milleniumfalcon2.jpg

[Tinman764]

http://img470.imageshack.us/img470/5979/prometheus03ut5.jpghttp://www.watch-battlestar-galactica-online.info/img/Watch-Battlestar-Galactica-Online-1.jpg

[STEED]

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kr4dqfDM1H1qa1o5zo1_400.jpg

Comes free with deadly ALIEN is your foolish to set down on a unknown planet.

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/3907/nostromo259wp7.jpg

Don't Panic!

Kick Ass Marines will save you in 57 years time!

http://www.kitsune.addr.com/SF-Conversions/Rifts-Other-Vehicles/USS_Sulaco.jpg

[TLAM Strike]

http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/193/serenityinspace1.jpg

[MH]

http://www.imgbase.info/images/safe-wallpapers/tv_movies/serenity/7078_serenity_sci-fi.jpg

[Rhodes]

Steed, the second picture of your last post is Blake Seven ship?

Well, many of the spaceships I like are already here:
the T.A.R.D.I.S., Enterprise, Space Battleship Yamato, SW ships, etc. I post the original since I like it too.

http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/9224/ussenterprisencc1701863.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/827/ussenterprisencc1701863.jpg/)

[Gerald]

Is that before or after you run for Senator? :hmmm:

Back on topic...

http://zombiegamer.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/milleniumfalcon2.jpg Just one person trying to quit smoking ... lay out a kind of smoke screen, :haha:

[Jimbuna]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/94/Thunderbird5.jpg

[Oberon]

You know, eventually someone up there is going to be stupid and you're going to need a bit of muscle.

And there's no better muscle to move it:

http://images.cheezburger.com/completestore/2009/10/6/128993183670916989.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50d18pM4Rec

:rock:

[Betonov]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50d18pM4Rec

:rock:

For a weapon platform that uses aiming systems 300 years advanced than what we have today and fires particle beams that travel at the speed of light there are sure a lot of misses in the series :hmmm:

[August]

Sad, about as close, any of us are going to get to American spaceflight, is playin Orbiter.

On the other hand how many thousands of generations would envy us for living during the age of flight?

[frau kaleun]

On the other hand how many thousands of generations would envy us for living during the age of flight?

My dad, born in the mountains of Virginia in 1918, was an avid follower of the space program. He used to say that when he was a boy, if you wanted to go to town you either walked or hitched the horse to the cart. If there was a big event being broadcast on the radio you went into town and gathered at the house of somebody who actually had one you could listen to. But there he was, in the same lifetime, sitting in front of a box in his own house showing him live pictures of another human being walking on the moon. :rock:

[Penguin]

Nothing beats the Heart Of Gold. Infinite Improbability Drive FTW!

http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/9164/heartofgold.jpg

[krashkart]

No ship would be complete without one of these:



http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/55/SHODAN_hires.jpg/250px-SHODAN_hires.jpg


On second thought... :hmm2:

[Thomen]

If I could chose, I'd take the Millennium Falcon, the Outrider, or

http://rpggamer.org/shippics/dreadnaught.jpg

[Torplexed]

In the not too distant future, somewhere in time and space....

http://a4.l3-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/62/a535ca3ec8b90fcf141fc9594fd439df/l.jpg

[TLAM Strike]

If I could chose, I'd take the Millennium Falcon, the Outrider, or

http://rpggamer.org/shippics/dreadnaught.jpg
Perfered the Patcom my self. More maneuverable, the Corvette always felt too sluggish. :salute:

You know, eventually someone up there is going to be stupid and you're going to need a bit of muscle.

And there's no better muscle to move it:

http://images.cheezburger.com/completestore/2009/10/6/128993183670916989.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50d18pM4Rec

:rock:

Yea size doesn't matter because no one knows just how big that damn really ship is! :doh:
(http://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/articles/defiant-problems.htm)

[Castout]

Curved, full of lights and with running water.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2125/2272049803_15f8251738.jpg

[BossMark]

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f156/rothwellwhite26/dalek-ship.jpg
Dalek Spaceships

[Castout]

This one is for sale

http://skirmisher.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/spaceship-for-sale-3.jpg

[HunterICX]

No ship would be complete without one of these:



http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/55/SHODAN_hires.jpg/250px-SHODAN_hires.jpg


On second thought... :hmm2:

Could be worse...you could doom yourself, the entire crew but your mission will be a guaranteed succes if you install HAL 9000

HunterICX

[SgtPotato]

http://3dcgac.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/btec2.jpg

How can I convince you with the space marine battle barge?

[Oberon]

Well, it could be the TARDIS Flyer...I mean Delta Flyer...

[Rhodes]

Could be worse...you could doom yourself, the entire crew but your mission will be a guaranteed succes if you install HAL 9000

HunterICX

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/7605/hal90001.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/833/hal90001.jpg/)

You seem trouble HunterICX...

[Gerald]

Well, it could be the TARDIS Flyer...I mean Delta Flyer...

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/5871/deltasv.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/88/deltasv.jpg/)

[Jimbuna]

http://www.inkymess.com/imgs/inkings/spaceship.gif

[August]

My dad, born in the mountains of Virginia in 1918, was an avid follower of the space program. He used to say that when he was a boy, if you wanted to go to town you either walked or hitched the horse to the cart. If there was a big event being broadcast on the radio you went into town and gathered at the house of somebody who actually had one you could listen to. But there he was, in the same lifetime, sitting in front of a box in his own house showing him live pictures of another human being walking on the moon. :rock:

It's amazing the amount of progress we've made in such a short time. Our grandfathers lived much the same lives as their fathers before them and their fathers before them. Nowadays constant change is about the only thing that doesn't change.

[Gerald]

http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/7596/orionspacecraft.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/836/orionspacecraft.jpg/)

[Platapus]

That Harry Allen design for the crew module is still a good 'un. :up:

Why mess with what works. :salute:

[Gerald]

That Harry Allen design for the crew module is still a good 'un. :up:

Why mess with what works. :salute: True, :DL

[Spoon 11th]

Like your own car.

http://www.saunalahti.fi/slinnavu/vault/warp_drive.jpg

[Gerald]

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/7510/shuttle15.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/199/shuttle15.jpg/)

[Schöneboom]

To see the future of spaceflight, we must go back to the source!

http://youtu.be/kNDaOFQ6g2I

[Platapus]

Am thinking something closer to this
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/7770/hybridss.png

Silent Running?

[Torplexed]

Fun, fun, fun in the sun, sun, sun.

http://images.wikia.com/reddwarf/images/3/39/Ship-BTE.png

[Growler]

Fun, fun, fun in the sun, sun, sun.

http://images.wikia.com/reddwarf/images/3/39/Ship-BTE.png

5km long is a little impractical, yeah?

[TLAM Strike]

5km long is a little impractical, yeah?
Not when its run by a computer with an IQ of 6,000: which is the roughly equivalent the IQ of 6,000 PE teachers. :yeah:

[BossMark]

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f156/rothwellwhite26/200751752259101.jpg

[kraznyi_oktjabr]

http://images.wikia.com/starwars/images/3/3b/Handree_%28Gunship_External%29.png

Corellian Engineering Corporation DP20 frigate aka Corellian gunship

[Rilder]

Though the Connie has been shown, and the Defiant, I think we need to look to the future...

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/1984/startrekenterprisefscre.jpg

(That's Soft Cannon AFAIK, though I've heard a few people say its going full cannon)

[Gerald]

Though the Connie has been shown, and the Defiant, I think we need to look to the future...

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/1984/startrekenterprisefscre.jpg

(That's Soft Cannon AFAIK, though I've heard a few people say its going full cannon) :rock:

[Gerald]

http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/8560/9781405318693l074.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/850/9781405318693l074.jpg/)

[Raptor1]

"...older Star Destroyers like the Victory-class..."? The Victory class was deployed at nearly exactly the same time as the Venator. :stare:

[Gerald]

"...older Star Destroyers like the Victory-class..."? The Victory class was deployed at nearly exactly the same time as the Venator. :stare: And your point is, at, I have screw up with the picture ;)

[nikimcbee]

http://carsties.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/space-ship.jpg

+1:yeah:

[nikimcbee]

http://www.botcollector.com/_images/TFiRL/SpaceballMaid.jpg

http://starsmedia.ign.com/stars/image/article/846/846996/eagle-5-spaceballs-001_1201053368.jpg

[Gerald]

Can we get a spontaneous comment to this "bus" of Raptor1, :o

[Gerald]

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/2912/venator3.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/163/venator3.jpg/)

[Gerald]

http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/7562/venator1.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/801/venator1.jpg/)

[Oberon]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyenRCJ_4Ww

http://images.wikia.com/memoryalpha/en/images/7/78/Borg_cube_CGI_second_variant.jpg

[Jimbuna]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51pYSqlilwL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

SNAP!

[FIREWALL]

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f156/rothwellwhite26/dalek-ship.jpg
Dalek Spaceships

I'm a sucker for Flying Saucers. :yep:...:woot:

[FIREWALL]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51pYSqlilwL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

SNAP!

:har::rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:

[CaptainMattJ.]

http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100916181536/halo/images/thumb/6/62/PoA_Reach.jpg/300px-PoA_Reach.jpg

always a big fan of the Space aspect of Halo. If you read the books, you wont find plasma or energy shields .....at least on Human ships. No, our ships still rely on good ol fashion armor plates, Ginormous Rail cannons firing 2000 ton projectiles at a 1/3 the speed of light, Big ass missiles and nukes.

And, the theories of faster-then-light travel are real theories scientists are exploring today. Our marines still use Battle Rifles grenades and good old fashion big ass bombs. it is, so far, the most realistic thing to expect in all of these sci fy series and stuff.

[krashkart]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51pYSqlilwL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

SNAP!


I must be the only one who can't scramble a rubik's cube on the first try. :cry:

[Jimbuna]

I must be the only one who can't scramble a rubik's cube on the first try. :cry:

I was equally as bad....would give up within five minutes of picking the thing up :damn:

[Oberon]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51pYSqlilwL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

SNAP!


http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20071213035914/uncyclopedia/images/3/32/Picard_Angry.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRmmHPE8EvA

[Gerald]

Nice,:up:

[Herr-Berbunch]

I was equally as bad....would give up within five minutes of picking the thing up :damn:

Just do what everybody else did - get a knife/screwdriver/similar and prise it apart and rebuild it 'finished'. :yep:

[Jimbuna]

Just do what everybody else did - get a knife/screwdriver/similar and prise it apart and rebuild it 'finished'. :yep:

Ah, so that's how the wife managed it? :hmmm:

[Osmium Steele]

http://images.wikia.com/masseffect/images/f/fc/New_Normandy.jpg

[Jimbuna]

http://www.entertainmentearth.com/images/%5CAUTOIMAGES%5CTM34755lg.jpg

[Platapus]

I must be the only one who can't scramble a rubik's cube on the first try. :cry:


1. Find the center red square

2. Pry out the center red square

3. Unscrew the screw underneath

4. Carefully disassemble

5. Carefully reassemble

6. Replace screw

7. Replace center red cover

You are now related to Robert. :yeah:

[Platapus]

If you ever come across one of those snot-nosed kids that can do the cube in 4 nano seconds, here is how you frustrate them

Take a cube, and with a razor blade carefully peel two different colour labels off.

Replace the two labels in the opposite position

Give to aforementioned SNK and watch their face. :har::har::har::har:

It is priceless. :yep:

[Gerald]

:agree: