Mission to Star System M51, 2130, by Robert A. M. Stephens, In the Collection of Bendix

It is hoped that before the century is out this will be possible; interstellar travel with superluminal technology to let us break free from Sol space in faster than +SOL travel or even faster. Had we not cut NASA by 70% at the end of Apollo 17 but, in fact, doubled its budget it is conceiveable we might have seen this scene above within our life time. Shame, this nation's priorities at times. Just in case there is more foot dragging, I dated this piece for the next century.

Details of this piece are a manned orbiter of near crusier-class size, a probable crew of 100, Superluminal techology equipped making the run from Earth to M-51 in two weeks, coming in to turning orbit around a large gas giant planet and its one lone moon. While in the distance is the dramatic nebula surrounding and embedded with young Hydrogen burning stars that have been newly formed. And behind is the M-51 Nebula itself in all its splendor, itself embedded with millions of young and medium aged stars.

Imagine.

The ship, as an experiment for me, was done in Apple's AppleWorks 6.0.4, to see how far this wonderful program can be pushed for work demand of this advanced nature for detail, while the scene was painted in 3D in Strata 3D and Carrara.

I present his image for the first time on the internet--courtesy of Bendix