NASA Releases Space Travel Posters of New Sister Solar System

NASA TRAPPIST-1 space travel posters

Image credit: NASA

Let’s face it: with the topsy-turvy political climate, many of us probably dream of jetting off to a land far, far away. And, with the recent discovery of seven Earth-sized planets—some of which may be inhabitable—the feeling of intergalactic wanderlust is at an all-time high. Called TRAPPIST-1, the “sister solar system” is a mere 39 light-years away,  and three of the planets could contain alien life if they have Earth-like atmospheres. Knowing that this incredible finding is the perfect fodder for those who envision exploring the galaxy, NASA went all-out on marking the occasion. They created a whole website dedicated to TRAPPIST-1, including space travel posters.

The TRAPPIST-1-inspired works were created by NASA and Amanda J. Smith. Like NASA’s previous retro posters, the most striking image of the series paints a colorful picture of what it’d be like to venture to the solar system. Cloaked in a gradient of supple reds, purples, and blues, it features a silhouetted family observing the landscape via a train window. Their excitement is palpable, and coupled with tagline “Voted best ‘Hab Zone’ Vacation,” it makes us wish this poster was real.

In addition to this fantastical image, Smith has created other posters that imagine what the landscape on one of the TRAPPIST-1 planets would look like. And to help us get a better sense of their scale and positioning, there are helpful infographics that directly compare our solar system with this new one.

These illustrated designs by Amanda J. Smith are an artful take on space travel posters.

NASA TRAPPIST-1 space travel posters

NASA TRAPPIST-1 space travel posters

With these TRAPPIST-1 infographics, you can get an idea of scale and placement of our “sister solar system.”

NASA TRAPPIST-1 space travel posters

NASA TRAPPIST-1 space travel posters

NASA TRAPPIST-1 space travel posters

fantasy travel posters TRAPPIST-1 NASA

fantasy travel posters TRAPPIST-1 NASA

NASA travel posters

NASA travel posters

fantasy travel posters TRAPPIST-1 NASA

TRAPPIST-1: Website
h/t: [Design You Trust]

All images by Amanda J. Smith unless otherwise noted.

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled "Embroidered Life" that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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