Destination MOON

Department for Building

Construction and Design – HB2

Vienna University of Technology

Editor

Down To Earth

Project by Amine Khouni and Kerstin Pluch

Location PRINZ Crater

Year 2050

Mission Objective Recycling, Therapy

Research, Step to Mars

Mission Length 6 m - 2 Y

Crew members 6 - 12

Typology mobile / stationary, surface, underground

Down to Earth will be the first manned colony on the Moon.

The main objectives will be the improvement of lunar based scientific projects and exploration programs as well as waste management and pollution control derived from Earth`s knowledge.

After decades of trying to banish plastic from Earth, the Moon has been used as a wasteland. Now this plastic turns out to be a useful raw material in combination with regolith. This key issue will require - for the first time in human history - a lunar colony, which has to be set up in a short period of time in order to last for a long one. The Moon itself offers a lot of answers to the questions we are facing.

The most secure and yet simplest way to guarantee protection against external threats is to set up the colony underneath the lunar surface. For this purpose Robotic Drill Technology will be applied to create a protected shelter that will be filled with modules and extended with inflatables.

In addition to the underground tubes there will be moving vehicles allowing extravehicular exploration of the surroundings.

Evaluation by Marc M. Cohen

This habitat derives largely from the TransHab concept for an inflatable toroid around a rigid structural core, much like a “fat tire” on a motor vehicle. The entire habitat, including all the modules will be delivered to Prinz Crater in a single fairing. One issue that was unclear was whether the fairing would accommodate the TransHab-like module inflated all the time from launch to landing, or the module would be deflated during flight and landing, and then pressurized and inflated only after landing and emplacement.

It has seven “deck” levels, with a small airlock on top being the only visible construction on the surface. Although the architects provide a sort of functional star-diagram, they do not define in detail the nature of the relationships among the functions.

The concept calls for burying the habitat in a tapered shaft. The habitat incorporates several vertical circulation systems. It shows a “fireman’s pole” running down the center for rapid descent. In addition, there is a suggestion of an “elevator,” but it is not fully represented. What is most impressive, however, is the perimeter spiral stair. This stair provides not only a circulation system, but also creates a sort of grand promenade around the habitat volume. The architects use this stair to connect the various levels within the toroidal/ radial plan. In fact, the implementation of this stair concept makes possible the half-floor splitlevel design that develops interest and variety throughout the seven levels. On these levels are some fascinating and attracting outfitting, including the teardrop shaped private quarters.

The perimeter spiral stair is a great strength of the design. If it would be the only method of traversing up and down it would pose a problem: the treads are very deep and the risers shallow compared to an interior stair in the 1-G field on Earth *.

„The students transformed the idea of the spiral stair to a spatial concept, depending the size and height on the function, while at the same time leaving some flexibility. An additional elevator is intended for fast traverse. It would be interesting to see this concept beeing developed in further detail.“ [Instructors]

*Annette Barnes paper “Stairs on the Moon” shows that the effect of the 1/6 gravity is that the risers should be much higher and the treads shallower than conventional Earth stairs. Changing the spiral stair to a much steeper slope would allow the architects to add a second spiral stair on the opposite side of the habitat; the differential levels between the two stairs would create a kind of double helix with dual access and egress for alternate half-levels.

The Green Andromeda

Project by Miran Badzak and Dario Krljes

Location Shackleton Crater

Year 2049

Mission Objective Greenhouse research

Mission Length 1 year

Crew members 6 (2 female, 4 male)

Typology Underground multifuncional station / Inflatable construction

Specific Characteristics

The Green Andromeda is a 12m diameter Moon base, with one floor on the surface and three floors underground. The Moon base contains six rotat able modules, two bathrooms and t oilets, a kitchen and a greenhouse that is extending up to the first underground floor.

Storyboard

The world`s governments are warning about possible future threats to mankind, such as pollution by industry, war, nuclear weapons and climate change. The world will lose its greenery. For this reason, in 2042, six people will be sent to the Moon base, which in fact is not just a simple base, but a shortcut to a green world, the green base for humanity. There they will perform the research necessary in order to take the next steps in colonising space.

The Green Andromeda

Why Green Andromeda? Andromeda is a spiral galaxy that has a rotation center and contains a trillion stars. In a similar way, our Green Andromeda contains hundreds of different plants and trees that are growing horizontally and vertically around the center of the base - a fusion of architecture and nature in one place.

What are the human needs?

There should be some space to sleep, rest, relax, maintain hygiene, space to work, space for privacy, to meet and communicate with people, friends, family, enjoying nature, etc. And the most important part, space to feel free in.

What is freedom in one place? It`s trying to satisfy all these needs, so that the user can enjoy their stay in that place. That is made possible by creating a multifunctional place, a place that will continually change. The changes are actually in the nature of all of us, because in nature it is almost impossible to keep something in its original form.

Greenhouse

The greenhouse is proposed to bring life, create a connection between the base users and nature and to play the most important role - to create air and to be the most important food resource on the Green Andromeda. The plants are located in horizontal and vertical cells that permeate all along the floors so that the user can reach them from any part of the base.