Go nuts? Why, i don't mind if i do!

Who has read Dan Simmons' Hyperion books? Startrees and Starforests anyone? <img src="' http://spacesimcentral.com/forum/public/style_emoticons//nyam.gi f"' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Dyson Trees! The Ousters are a great example of the kind of Transhumanist faction I'd like to see included <img src="' http://spacesimcentral.com/forum/public/style_emoticons//icon_e_smile.gi f"' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

Actually the possibility of GM Space Trees as Stations also raises the possibility of smaller Organisms as Ships (Dyson Tree seedlings?)

A lot of these Megastructures would be the ideal Gameplay hook for my Promethean Faction idea... they're escaped experiments from High Tech Labs throughout the Galaxy a small Dyson Swarm of Bishop Rings (`2000km "mini" ringworlds) on the fringe of space would be their version of a "summer home" <img src="' http://spacesimcentral.com/forum/public/style_emoticons//icon_razz.gi f"' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':P' />

If toroidal Megastructures are already working even without terrain then they could be great for Orbital Rings

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_ring

For planets/moons that don't have the right orbital mechanics for a Geostationary Elevator.

As for Tethered Propulsion stations like skyhooks and rotovators... I wouldn't even know where to begin! The basic math is beyond me, nevermind the programming! <img src="' http://spacesimcentral.com/forum/public/style_emoticons//icon_razz.gi f"' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':P' />

I'll crank out a few mockups for Orbital Launchers (Mass Drivers? Space Fountains? Anything else?)... I kinda like the idea of ships without enough thrust/fuel to reach orbit alone still being useable for Planetary operations in limited situations.

Megastructures in Orion's Arm

http://www.orionsarm.com/page/301

And a small Gallery...

http://www.orionsarm.com/xcms.php?r=oa-gallery&gallery=39

Actually, something like the OA "Toposophic Level" would work nicely for Factions in the game. Instead of classifying them by Politics or Economics... why not just base them directly on Technological abilities? Primitives would be low Tech with Fission Power, Thermal Rockets and no Hyperdrive. Average would be Fusion Power, Plasma Rockets and Hyperdrive... normal Pioneer <img src="' http://spacesimcentral.com/forum/public/style_emoticons//icon_e_smile.gi f"' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

There could be scattered enclaves of UltraTech societies with megastructures and Exotic Matter Toys for sale! <img src="' http://spacesimcentral.com/forum/public/style_emoticons//wink3.gi f"' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />

Some Genetically Modified Space Trees...

http://www.orionsarm.com/eg-article/48472ab83cce0

I've also been thinking that one of the most plausible megastructures that Spacefaring humans would build would be a telescope... actually an Interstellar Astronomical Society is one of the few organizations I can see being universal across Political Factions...

Argus Array

http://www.orionsarm.com/xcms.php?r=oaeg-view-article&egart_uid=45f97a51dbf24

And on a smaller scale, from Schlock Mercenary... the Very Dangerous Array! <img src="' http://spacesimcentral.com/forum/public/style_emoticons//icon_e_biggrin.gi f"' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':D' />

http://www.schlockmercenary.com/2003-06-24

http://schlockmercenary.wikia.com/wiki/Very_Dangerous_Array

PS. I want to be able to deploy a VDA in Pioneer!

@NeuralKernel,

You posted some big city/beanstalk structures in another thread but I can't find them now.

Could you repost them in here please?

Nevermind I found the post here: http://spacesimcentral.com/forum/topic/3071-baobobs-ship-mooring-and-refit-shop/page__st__20#entry32925