National Space Society Home Page: Welcome!
   Home     About Us     Join    Donate    Renew    Chapters    Awards     Ad Astra     Library     Space Settlement     Book Reviews     Legislative    News    Links    Store     Space Tourism 
ORBITAL SETTLEMENTS     MOON     MARS     ASTEROIDS     SSP     L5 NEWS     ROADMAP

Stanford Torus     Bernal Sphere     O'Neill Cylinder     Colonies in Space

Bernal Sphere

The Bernal Sphere design is very similar to that used in the science fiction series Babylon 5, although the original Bernal Sphere design is much smaller, only 1 mile in circumference, and can house 10,000 people. Click here for a more detailed description of the Bernal Sphere.

Bernal Sphere exterior

Bernal Sphere external view. It was later learned that the mirrors won't work properly in this configuration and will need to be redesigned. Painting by Rick Guidice courtesy of NASA

Larger image (800 x 573 pixels, 135kb)

 


Bernal Sphere cutaway

Bernal Sphere cutaway view. The sphere rotates twice per minute to provide Earth-normal gravity on the inside. Painting by Rick Guidice courtesy of NASA.

Larger image (800 x 624 pixels, 162kb)

 


Bernal Sphere agricultural rings

Bernal Sphere agricultural rings seen in cross-section. Farming occurs in the upper layers, and animal husbandry in the lower layers where gravity is a little stronger. Painting by Rick Guidice courtesy of NASA.

Larger image (800 x 539 pixels, 117kb)

 


Bernal Sphere interior

Bernal Sphere interior, complete with California-style wine and cheese party, and human powered flight in the lower-gravity area near the axis. Painting by Rick Guidice courtesy of NASA.

Larger image (800 x 591 pixels, 209kb)

 


Bernal Sphere hub

Bernal Sphere hub still in the construction phase, with shielding and mirrors being installed. Painting by Don Davis courtesy of NASA.

Larger image (800 x 1025 pixels, 351kb)

 


Bernal Sphere recreation

Bernal Sphere low-gravity recreation area at dusk, protected by netting. Gravity becomes lower as you approach the center, and at the very top are the zero-gravity honeymoon suites. Painting by Don Davis courtesy of L5 News and National Space Society.

Larger image (800 x 1040 pixels, 391kb)

 


Click here for a more detailed description of the Bernal Sphere.

Stanford Torus     Bernal Sphere     O'Neill Cylinder      Colonies in Space

 

2008 International Space Development Conference
NSS Logo   
1620 I (Eye) Street NW, Suite 615, Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 429-1600 -- FAX: (202) 463-8497 -- E-mail: nsshq@nss.org
Direct questions about membership matters to: members@nss.org

Copyright © 1998-2008, National Space Society

   Powered By CyberTeams

H     Last updated on Wed, Mar 14, 2007 at 19:17:59