Oasis

This is my 1985 painting of a Earth–Mars cycler, with an orbit intersecting the paths of both Mars and Earth. Hop on at Eath and just ride in 'comfort' until you reach Mars, then do it again on the way back. That way your launch vehicle only needs enough fuel to catch up with the station already on route.

The central axis is for propulsion, power, and docking hanger, while the habitat is spun with a tethered counter balance from the opposite side. An elevator module is shown traversing between the center and the hab cluster. A shielded Nuclear reactor is extended in front of the axis.

Painting was produced for an engineering study for NASA's Advanced Programs Office.