Vacuumorph

Vacuumorphs (Homo caelestis) are a species of crab-like Humans genetically and surgically modified to live only in the vacuum of space. It must be noted that these creatures are not so much bred as built. The attributes that can not be created are grafted onto the creatures, and they are not able to reproduce independently, and are presumed to not have to eat or drink.

Biology
Vacuumophs barely have any resemblance to their Human ancestors, with the only exceptions being the skeletal structure and form of hand. Their exoskeleton-based skin keeps their bodies pressurized and safely houses their internal organs. They possess huge yellow eyes that are shielded from the solar winds by heavy lids. A scaled lens also protects their eyes from the vacuum of space and the harsh glare of earthlight. Long whiskers extend from the lids to communicate with each individual, since sound does not travel through space. They posses five-fingered hands on all four of their limbs to help latch onto large objects. Each hand also supports an opposable thumb. Unlike the hands of a Human, the meta carpals are not banded together by tissue, making the fingers to appear longer. The top of the spherical body is textured with reptilian scales. Suited for space, their bodies would easily collapse under the effects of gravity.

History
Vacuumorphs came into existence 200 Earth years hence the day modern humanity developed the knowledge and technology to morph the genetics of other Humans to create genetically-altered creatures. Vaccumorphs have purposely been engineered to bring life into the airless vacuum of space and created spaceships for the Humans to leave earth, who later evolve into the Traveler of the Stars. Their overall lives are thus limited and they have no future of their own. They most likely went extinct after humanity on Earth went extinct 1800 years later.

Appearances

 * Man After Man: An Anthropology of the Future, by Dougal Dixon (1990)