Posts Tagged concept art

Dark and Bright

Dark and Bright, Cosmic Vision 2015-2025

Credits: NASA/ESA/ESO/W. Freudling (ST-ECF)

I couldn’t help but be captivated by this stunning space illustration highlighting ESA’s next science missions. Quite the “cosmic vision”!

The powerful influence of the Sun and the nature of the mysterious ‘dark energy’ motivate ESA’s next two science missions. Solar Orbiter and Euclid were selected today by ESA’s Science Programme Committee for implementation, with launches planned for 2017 and 2019.

These two missions are medium-class missions and are the first in ESA’s Cosmic Vision 2015-2025 Plan.

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1972 Shuttle

1972 Shuttle Concept Study, photo by x-ray delta one

A beautiful concept of the Space Shuttle from 1972, courtesy of x-ray delta one. It’s interesting to see how the external tank evolved — here it looks like a larger SRB, with a penthouse (or whatever other purpose that little top spike is supposed to serve.) The orbiter itself has a bit of a streamliner/Art Deco look to it.

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Proposing Hubble

Hubble Space Telescope concept art

I live in a very rural area, far from any major “space” centers. Indeed, the arrival of Space Shuttle Endeavour in Los Angeles (once it retires) will mean the first major piece of space hardware I can visit in my time zone. To run into someone from the space “industry” is, well, rare.

Last week, I met with a client whom I’ve only met a couple of times. The conversation turned to space shuttle launches (as many conversations have turned, of late.) To my surprise, this client had worked for Lockheed in the 1980s, and upon learning of my interest, had “something special” to show me: three binders full of Lockheed’s Hubble Space Telescope proposal and press materials, which she helped produce. Each member of her team received a commemorative frame with the above concept art (dedication flap is scanned below.)

We flipped through the proposal, commenting on how “crude” it seemed, compared to grant proposals (and basic desktop publishing) used today. It may have been “unpolished” by today’s standards, but what a special thing to have been a part of, and what a wonderful telescope it launched!

Commemorative frame given to NASA contractors upon Hubble launch

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Concept Ships, part 3

Illustration by Phillipe Manchu

Illustration by Phillipe Manchu

A final set of beautiful illustrations by Phillipe Manchu, via Concept Ships.

Illustration by Phillipe Manchu

Illustration by Phillipe Manchu

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Concept Ships, part 2

Illustration by Phillipe Manchu

Illustration by Phillipe Manchu

More beautiful illustrations by Phillipe Manchu, via Concept Ships. Going for more of a battle/danger theme today, seeing as there’s just four shopping days until Christmas. You couldn’t PAY me to go to a mall this week.

Illustration by Phillipe Manchu

Illustration by Phillipe Manchu

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Concept Ships

Illustration by Phillipe Manchu

Illustration by Phillipe Manchu

Found these beautiful illustrations by Phillipe Manchu via Concept Ships. Gorgeous, I’ll probably post more of his work next week. Too much good stuff!

Illustration by Phillipe Manchu

Illustration by Phillipe Manchu

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Impact!

Spaceship artwork by Chris Foss

Artwork © Chris Foss, all rights reserved.

Found a couple of interesting, new-to-me works by Chris Foss — unfortunately I don’t know the titles. The above ship looks like it just had an oops had a hard landing; below, a spectacular concept of a meteor impact. (Or maybe that was the ship from the first picture?)

Space artwork by Chris Foss

Artwork © Chris Foss, all rights reserved.

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Spaceship Concepts

Little Dragon, by teemunkle

Little Dragon, by teemunkle @ deviantart

I ran across this post of spaceship concept art earlier this week and had to pass the goodness on to you, dear reader! Featured are a few of my favorites.

This one just charms the dickens out of me, I can’t explain why! ↓

USS Flatiron, by Hunterkiller

USS Flatiron, by Hunterkiller @ deviantart

As for this one, it’s the colors. ↓

Hollow Ship, by Masz-rum

Hollow Ship, by Masz-rum @ deviantart

Interesting shape on this one. ↓

Recon Scout, by Aksu

Recon Scout, by Aksu @ deviantart

And this one is just… very strange. ↓

Test Ship, by UrbanIndustries

Test Ship, by UrbanIndustries @ deviantart

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Heavenly Craft

Concept Ships, Spaceship24, copyright Chris Foss

Concept Ships, Spaceship24 © Chris Foss

I owe Sci-Fi-O-Rama a lot for introducing me to the artwork of Chris Foss. It’s fantastic stuff, I couldn’t pick a favorite if I tried!

Turner Spaceship (1979) © Chris Foss

Turner Spaceship (1979) © Chris Foss

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Vacationing at Moonbase

In other news, more regular posting to resume next week. Until then, I will be sunbathing near the Sea of Tranquillity.

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