|The Stanford Torus was the principal design considered by the 1975 NASA Summer Study, which was conducted in conjunction with Stanford University (and published as Space Settlements: A Design Study, NASA Publication SP-413). It consists of a torus or donut-shaped ring that is one mile in diameter, rotates once per minute to provide Earth-normal gravity on the inside of the outer ring, and which can house 10,000 people.|
|"Abalakin" is a large torus depicted by artist Alexander Preuss, winner of the 2008 NSS Space Settlement Calendar Art Contest. © Alexander Preuss.
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|"Vademecum" is a 2006 student design similar in size to the Stanford Torus but with a more efficient shape. Painting copyright by Dan Roam courtesy of the artist.
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|Stanford Torus external view. The overhead mirror brings sunlight
into the colony through a series of louvred mirrors on the inner
ring. Painting by Don Davis courtesy of NASA
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|Stanford Torus cutaway view. The rotation of the torus provides
Earth-normal gravity on the inside. Painting by Rick Guidice courtesy
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|Stanford Torus interior. It seems unlikely that early colonies
will have a population density this low. Painting by Don Davis
courtesy of NASA.
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|Stanford Torus agriculture, conducted on multiple tiers for
efficient use of space. Agriculture in space can be very productive
because of the controlled environment. Painting courtesy of NASA.
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|Stanford Torus construction. Depicted is the final stages
of installation of the radiation shielding. Painting by Don Davis
courtesy of NASA.
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