Image Caption Notes: This is the scene in the weeks and months “Right Before” the launch depicted in my last image (See Related Image Links below) of five Mars Settlement Orion’s – unmanned cargo carriers hauling ten-thousand ton payloads to Mars ahead of the settler’s transports. Four of those five craft are visible, in the middle distance, in this image – the fifth is situated behind the ridgeline right of center. The fully assembled Orion launch vehicle in front of the ridgeline (right of center) is not part of the group depicted in the (previously posted) launch image. Camera POV for the previous image is located above the roof of a component assembly building out of frame to the right. The vehicle assembly shafts (shown sealed) in the previous image are shown open in this image, the partly assembled launch vehicles (held within those shafts) are elevated into view. Modularized Construction: In navel construction, large segments of ocean going vessels are assembled, then moved into position in a dry-dock and fastened together. Here a seven hundred foot deep shaft substitutes for the dry-dock. The Orion launch vehicle is raised or lowered vertically within the shaft as construction requires. Modular vehicle segments are assembled in the spaces between the component assembly buildings. On completion these modular segments are moved by rolling gantry, positioned over the vehicle assembly shaft (in which the vehicle has been lowered just below ground level) the modular segment is then lowered into place – crews can then weld, bolt, and fasten the segments together – panels in these segments are left open for later installation of other mechanical assemblies. One such vehicle segment (a 300 foot by 150 cross-section) is visible just left of center in this image suspended on a five hundred foot wide rolling gantry, which is positioned near an open vehicle assembly shaft. Orion Assembly Left of Center: The Impulse stage reveals (in its open sections) the terminal end of the shock-absorber system. Impulse magazines and impulse charge feed assemblies have yet to be installed. I am considering a close up of this vehicle as many of the interior details I modeled are hidden in shadow in this image. Circular tracks surround the mouth of the vehicle assembly shaft on which a platform holding scaffold and derrick-crane ride, this entire platform can be positioned anywhere around the circumference of the vehicle under assembly. Movable scaffold platform and derrick-crane are broken down and moved to a safe distance before launch. Orion Assembly Right of Center: Lower section of the hull has been closed – the area containing pressurized tanks for the gas-fired bomb-placement gun, the rotating breech-assembly, and hydraulic systems. Impulse charge magazines are installed (with more yet to be installed) obscuring all but the extreme terminal ends of the shock-absorber system. I am considering a further assembly image showing the landing craft being positioned and mounted atop the impulse-stack before the aero-shell is fully enclosed. Future History Timeline Context Link: Orion’s Arm Future History Timeline. Related Images: Mars Settlement Project Orion Launch Aero Braking Syria Planum Landing Composition Notes: Dystopian Heavy Hauler (modified with a wheeled chassis of my own design and retextured). Pete’s Bryce Supply Platform (support legs modified, some lighting removed, and textures replaced with my own scheme designed for this scene). VP Tower Crane – modified and retextured in Bryce. Terrains are cris333’s Klendathu and Tectonics Arathi Peaks No. 3 re-textured. Warehouse is a Google SketchUp Pro model. All other models are my own Bryce creations. As always thank you for your interest, thoughtful comments, and encouragement.

Fantastic image; lighting and modeling!

Very impressive picture!! 5+

cool work

Nicely done!

Beautiful composition!!!