Realistically...small. Most space-places don't have much extra room. ^_^. But I'm pretty sure that's not what they're going for. Computer screens are with us to stay, I am certain. For interior....Anything that resembles a touch screen for a console...if you can manage it. Voice commands probably won't be overriding touch-screen and typing interfaces anytime soon, given the error rates they have. Also, remember you can put them anywhere you like because in space there is no such thing as "up" and there's not much progress on artificial gravity as of yet.
For exterior: aerodynamic is key. We're heading away from old-school rocket launches to get out shuttles into space, so that means we'll need something with little enough resistance to make it through the atmosphere without burning up. Of course, gradual ascent is also starting to become a Thing. We already have aircraft regularly in the stratosphere. There are lots of independent companies working on designs for a space port, actually and most of them have moved well away from anything involving large thrusters.
Also, lots of tin foil. You may laugh, but you would be surprised just how much stuff scientists work with is either actually constructed out of tin foil or materials which look at lot like it. World-class scientists use the stuff on a regular basis, I kid you not.
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branchandroot
Not sure if this is what you want, but....
Date: 14 Sep 2011 12:31 am (UTC)Computer screens are with us to stay, I am certain. For interior....Anything that resembles a touch screen for a console...if you can manage it. Voice commands probably won't be overriding touch-screen and typing interfaces anytime soon, given the error rates they have. Also, remember you can put them anywhere you like because in space there is no such thing as "up" and there's not much progress on artificial gravity as of yet.
For exterior: aerodynamic is key. We're heading away from old-school rocket launches to get out shuttles into space, so that means we'll need something with little enough resistance to make it through the atmosphere without burning up. Of course, gradual ascent is also starting to become a Thing. We already have aircraft regularly in the stratosphere. There are lots of independent companies working on designs for a space port, actually and most of them have moved well away from anything involving large thrusters.
Also, lots of tin foil. You may laugh, but you would be surprised just how much stuff scientists work with is either actually constructed out of tin foil or materials which look at lot like it. World-class scientists use the stuff on a regular basis, I kid you not.
For reference, here are real spaceships (feel free to use for inspiration or share or whatever):
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/765975/_7A_00349%20copy.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/765975/14A_00342%20copy.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/765975/15A_00341%20copy.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/765975/17A_00339%20copy.jpg