Big Toys (not only) for Boys

Photos by Tom Vack
c) DIFFERENTFUTURES 2008


Böblingen, Germany became the home of the largest space ship for children in the world, which was built there between March and June 2008.


Second Solar - a ship on the way to the distant planet Gliese 581 in a solar system 20.5 light years far away from Earth. Explorers hope to find an inhabitable atmosphere there. Second Solar is equipped with a giant engine that supplies the necessary power, a thermal shell to protect the crew from low temperatures, and landing runners that offer solid traction on all surfaces.


Work is underway in the Second Solar hangar. The next journey is just moments away. The warp drive has to be prepared, sensor repairs have to be completed and the navigators discuss gravitational slingshot maneuvers.


The story, design, plans and construction were all developed and completed in only three and a half months.

The thrillingly fast stainless steel slides start in the third floor at a height of approximately 12m. Inside the tube you have stroboscope flashlights.

The underbody is dirty steel, polygonal shaped with a set of glowing, color changing light strips. On the bow large moving head LED search lights make a nice vivid effect.

SECOND SOLAR - technical data

Spaceship for the discovery of new inhabitable solar systems

36m length, 15m height, 14m width, 850m2 interior area on three levels
Outer shell around 2000m2, of which 1000 m2 are CNC-milled
Planning and construction time: 3.5 months


THX for the massive response!