The Raygun Gothic Rocketship – Retro-Futuristic Public Art Sculpture
A Five Ton Crane Arts Group collaboration
The Raygun Gothic Rocketship (2009) is a monumental, immersive public art installation created by the Five Ton Crane Arts Group. This large-scale sculpture, designed and managed by David Shulman, Nathaniel Taylor, and Sean Orlando, merges retro-futuristic design with fine art fabrication, capturing the optimism and sci-fi flair of mid-century space-age dreams.
Originally installed at Pier 14 in San Francisco from 2010–2013, the sculpture became a beloved landmark along the waterfront. In 2017, it was fully refurbished and permanently installed at Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum in Colorado, where it now hovers above Rocket Ice Cream—continuing to inspire curiosity and imagination.
Standing 40 feet tall and constructed from steel and aluminum, the Rocketship features three intricately detailed levels: a command module, a life sciences bio-lab, and a navigation and communications deck. It includes elements such as a gimballed captain’s chair and a high-voltage plasma engine, making it an unforgettable example of large-scale sculpture fabrication and interactive installation art.
Design & Management: David Shulman, Nathaniel Taylor, Sean Orlando
Original Installation: Pier 14, San Francisco
Permanent Location: Wings Over the Rockies, Colorado
Specs:
Height: 40′
Materials: Aluminum and steel
Features: Gimballed captain’s chair, plasma engine
Levels: Command module, bio-lab, navigation/communications deck