Space colonization is the use of outer space for colonization, such as permanent habitation, exploitation or territorial claims. Extraterrestrial colonization is its broader form, including the use of celestial bodies, other than Earth, for colonization.
Artist's rendering of an envisioned lunar mining facility
Artist's rendering of a crewed floating outpost on Venus of NASA's High Altitude Venus Operational Concept (HAVOC)
A picture of the completed Lunar Flag Assembly. The USSR and the US engaged in dropping pennants and raising flags on the Moon while not laying any claims over it, in accordance with the Outer Space Treaty.
Artist Les Bossinas' 1989 concept of Mars mission
A space settlement is a settlement in outer space, sustaining more extensively habitation facilities in space than a general space station or spacecraft. Possibly including closed ecological systems, its particular purpose is permanent habitation.
A pair of O'Neill cylinders
Interior view of an O'Neill cylinder, showing alternating land and window stripes
A Stanford torus interior
Stanford torus exterior