The Fascinating History of Space Stations and Manned Missions: From Concept Art to Reality

When discussing vehicles capable of generating significant acceleration, the answer indeed is Orion. Not the pansy thing they’ve been building off and on for the past three decades, but the drive concept. Imagine a plate of concrete and steel, tough enough to withstand the blast of an atomic bomb. Bolt your spacecraft onto it, set an atomic bomb off under the plate—voilà, you’re moving. Yes, this sounds like a Hollywood blockbuster, but there’s a serious side to it.

Improbable but Functional Space Travel Concepts

Since the 1950s, numerous designs of spacecraft have been proposed and developed. These vehicles have matured significantly as our understanding of the space environment and materials technology has improved. Early designs were often fantastical, yet scientifically plausible.

The Improbable Bold History of Space Concept Art

Space concept art has played a crucial role in the development of space exploration. One of the earliest and most influential pieces of concept art is the Man in Space series from the Disneyland TV show. Airing in 1955, two years before Sputnik was launched and six years before Yuri Gagarin orbited the Earth, this series featured the talents of Disney animator Ward Kimball and the head of the U.S. Army’s Ballistic Missile Agency, Wernher von Braun.

President Eisenhower showed a film print of these episodes to current U.S. military leaders, trying to convince them of the importance of space exploration. It’s a powerful anecdote that encapsulates the visionary spirit of the time.

Pioneers in Space Exploration

Another early pioneer in space exploration was Robert Goddard, often referred to as the father of U.S. rocketry. During the 1910s, before and after World War I, Goddard presented several proposals to the U.S. military, many of which were rejected. Despite this early setback, Goddard persevered, and in 1920, he faced public humiliation when the New York Times editorialized against his “foolish” proposals. Nonetheless, his work laid the foundation for much of the technology that would ultimately carry humans to space.

The Art of Chesley Bonestell

The Space Art of Chesley Bonestell, known for its intricate and scientifically accurate depictions of space travel, often appeared in the 1950s. Bonestell's work not only entertained but also informed the public about the potential of space exploration. His detailed renderings inspired a generation of scientists, engineers, and astronauts.

The USAF Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL)

The USAF Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) was a project that unfortunately did not see the light of day. Launching in 1969, the first year of the Nixon administration, MOL was canceled. The boilerplate design of MOL was actually launched on a Titan IIIC rocket from LC-40, the same launch pad used by SpaceX for its Falcon 9 missions. In 1:30 scale, the Manned Orbiting Laboratory model presented an intriguing look at what could have been.

A USAF Space Station

The USAF Manned Orbiting Laboratory represented a significant step towards creating a space station, a concept that has evolved over the decades. These early designs and concepts paved the way for the International Space Station and future endeavors. The drive to build and navigate in space has been a constant motivation for generations of scientists, engineers, and artists.