Some Ideas Never Quite Make It by NefariousDrO
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Description
Long before the Rephi-Portals were developed, there'd been a number of proposals for one-way trips intended to launch a permanent colony on various solar-system bodies. Most involved Mars, but there were no shortages of alternatives like Europa, Titan, etc. Ultimately the political dangers of sending people out there with no real means of rescue if things didn't work out made for enough hesitation that none of them ever truly launched. Historians debate over whether that was a good or bad thing, but either way, there were some pretty interesting ideas that got tossed out there.
This ship design is one of the early ideas that was developed within the progenitor of Vanguard Industries, the company that would emerge as the preeminent ship-designer and builder in the first couple of phases of human space development. The idea was to make the human habitat also the lander, so that the tethers that were used to rotate the habitats never really withdrew back into the ship, but used the momentum of the rotation to "sling" the landers at the intended colony-site.
There were many practical reasons why this would be difficult, but ultimately the Rephi-Portals made the idea a moot point.
But the basic concepts underlying much of the ship design and construction did find their way into later ships that were actually produced, so the design process wasn't a complete waste.
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I'm diving once again into the same "universe" as most of my earlier posts. I love the idea of a period where interplanetary and even interstellar travel is possible, but the technology isn't quite that far removed from our own.
The ship model is entirely my own, built in Bryce, and mostly textured with presets, but a fair number of the textures are my own as well.
The "moon" is also modeled and rendered in Bryce, that texture is all me. I really love making textures for moons and asteroids and comets. It's way too much fun.
The star scape was made in Photoshop, as were the faint "nebula" effects. All compositing and any other post-work was also Photoshop.
Thanks for taking a loo, and of course comets/critiques and criticisms are always welcome.
Comments (12)
Faemike55
I like the idea! this looks like Vanguard 2.0 or it would have been had one been built. excellent work
MagikUnicorn
SUPERB
giulband
Superb image !!!!
peedy
Excellent model and image! Corrie
pchef
excellent work.
Ancel_Alexandre
I really like the idea of "habitats as landers". Nice pic! ;)
ljdean
Nice image and model. I do this kind of stuff as well and recently posted my older concepts for getting to mars. Although I like to make my ideas seem as realistic as possible, I mainly use them in stories. I recently revisited mars missions and hit upon the idea of using landers as habs as well. But rather than sling them towards their destination as you described. I chose the route of using Delta Clipper based technology which allows one vehicle to serve as the way on and off mars while the other vehicle remains on mars serving as an outpost. IMO, one way trips are simply a sign of the desperate times where human space flight is concerned. There are people so desperate to reach mars, they are willing to do this one way thing while ignoring the cost of resupplying a one way crew indefinitely. A cost that could go into making round trip capability possible. This desperation stems from the cost of humans to mars which is a barrier we may not be overcoming until mid century, assuming private sector space efforts pay off.
Debwhosmiles
Wonderful detail in the enlarged view! It seems very monochromatic though I do see some coloration on the rings on the forward construction. I think some very small numeric or name designations on the "pods" and (larger - far seen letting/numeration) on the main structure would be a good addition. It is reasonable to see some gold on the craft's structure too as it is a great conductor and has been used in space-going structures in many ways and maybe even small spots/lines of yellow and red on what would be critical areas? Anyway, just some ideas to play with as you evolve this magnificent craft!
ansgar2
EXCELLENT....!!!
RodS Online Now!
A most excellent render, Mike! So good to see your magnificent ships again! Hope you have a happy Thanksgiving!
dcmstarships
great to see you creating new designs for your unique SF universe
geirla
Great design! I like the concept. Of the ship. One-way Mars colony, not so much. Kinda have to solve the closed life-support system problem first. Right now we send tons of supplies to each IIS resident every year.