Mars Science City – Part 4 - Space Architecture Design Studio 2020

HB2 MARS SCIENCE CITY

Department of Building Construction and Design Institute of Architecture and Design

Vienna University of Technology

ADVENTUS

a project by (lat. arrival)

LOCATION

YEAR VISION

YEAR FIRST CREWED

MISSION

CREW MEMBERS

SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS

Jezero Crater

2100 2032

4/6 connectivity compactability deployment

Miruna Vecerdi | Rudolf Neumerkel

LAnding site geography

Jezero Crater

the location should be between -50 and 50 dg latitude due to landing physics, preferably not too far from the equator to ensure the potential of using solar power. the ground should have few rocks, boulders and dunes to facilitate mobility and construction.

exploration

Jezero Crater is located in the Syntris Major quadrangle, at the n-w border of the Isidis Basin, measuring about 49 km in diameter. on its western side an ancient river fan-delta formation dominates the landscape and indicates the former presence of a lake. according to NASA, Jezero Crater has 34 regions of interest, offering a geological rich terrain and many sampling targets of various rocks.

resources

Jezero Crater is rich in Iron and Ferric Oxides, which could prove useful for further advances in ISRU.

the delta is rich in hydrated minerals, which is clear evidence of water presence in the past. this may facilitate the discovery of preserved ancient life on Mars. dust is not accumulating quickly in this area, which would ease the presence of solar panels.

radiation protection

the thin atmosphere and lack of a magnetic field, expose Mars to a high amount of radiation. galactic cosmic rays such as solar flares and heavy ions are fatal to humans. low elevation areas show better protection against radiation. Jezero Crater is located in a low risk area and at an elevation of ca. 2km below the martian mean surface height. the location for the first habitat will be near the fan delta. placing the base in the vicinity of the crater walls has radiation protection advantages. this was shown by the measurements done by the Mars Curiosity Rover.

shipping

compactability + deployment sending anything into space is very expensive. to be able to plan an efficient and successful manned mission for Mars, knowledge of heavy-lift orbital launch vehicles availability and their payload to Mars is required.

our design focused on the compactability and deployment choreography of the habitat. it is designed to fit into SpaceX’ Starship, which has 100t+ payload to Mars.

small Green/ Crew

functionality

initially as green house for the first manned mission sleeping/private quarters first habitat research laboratory and/or living space and recreation

System Elements connectivity

modules + connections instead of a masterplan, an expansion system is proposed for the realization of a city on Mars.

the modules are designed to fit into a hex-grid system. this tesselation method enables modular expansion isometrically in 3 directions, while also ensuring a compact layout. the layout will adapt to the topography of the site, nevertheless keeping connectivity as a main goal.

according to population size and capacity of the modules, an algorithm will calculate the number of needed units and will layout possible further developments.

as the settlement grows and the needs of the settlers change, modules will align differently around connector units, creating different areas and meeting points for the inhabitants.

the first base has to already assure for future expansion. at first, it will act as a single unit, housing all the functions needed for the first crew. it will also provide the possibility of reconfiguring into a more specific unit for later expansion.

1 = can connect to the back part of the research module

1 = the front connects to other research units

2 = back connections to crew quarters,

3 = to other module units, forming communities around different interests

3 = tunnels to other connectors

1 = large greenhouses will attach to the connector

1 = front connection to connector unit

2 = vehicle/rover hatch for immediate medical assistance or easier sample transfer

First base the first configuration will consist of one base module and a small greenhouse.

connector a connecting module is added as multiple crews settle. this is meant to ensure expansion and form a first community

community the connector module is the center of a three base community and will connect to other three communities

survival propellant production

expansion food production

advanced ISRU permanence focus

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

year 2100

expansion process

Stage 4 city with time, new improved modules can be added. some communities might form a closed loop, hierarchies might develop, the initial system might get modified as technology advances and the needs of the citizens change...

independency negotiation

Structure

compactability + deployment = actuation

3 actuating systems are used: a foldable floor

a vertically sliding steel core and an inflatable membrane.

these are enclosed within the casing along with the walls, the stairs which run vertically along the core units walls, and the core modules. the casing this contains the hatches and is split into 3 identical parts that have to be moved apart to begin deployment

while un/folding, the casing should not intersect with the floor

the first actuator is the unfolding origami floor to which the 3 casing parts are attatched to. various origami patterns were tested. finally the last one was implemented and further developed

sketches on the shape for the membrane

the second actuator is the sliding core. it moves vertically doubling in height. the frame holds the core units, that contain sanitary fittings and small plant growing modules and the cupola with water tanks on the top.

the third actuator is the inflating membrane. pressurizing the interior of the habitat is essential for the survival of the crew members. the pressure will also act as main load bearing.

inflated membrane with reinforcements sanitary fittings

small plant growing modules

cupola

core space-frame with climbing ladder sepparation elements (walls and floors)

foldable floor hatches

foundation

HVAC

Deployment

VS packed configuration

pressurized volume: 0 m3 diameter: 7 m filled regolith: 0 m3

deployed configuration

414 m3 16,26 m 83 m3

water provides excellent radiation shielding and transfers natural light into the habitat

cupola with water tanks

membrane reinforcement

adding stability to the membrane while shaping the final pressurized form

habitation

functionality

+ comfort

keeping it minimal, functional, yet comfortable was one of the main goals of the design. the isometric connectivity of the expansion concept can also be seen within the habitat.

sanitary fittings open up towards the private rooms. the kitchen is oriented towards a larger area for eating, socializing and medical treatment. research area is allocated on top of the private rooms to make use of the verticality.

this way loud and quiet, social and private space are separated. the area between the private rooms can be used as storage, recreational and training space. connection to the small greenhouse in this area would enhance the recreational environment.

radiation protection

the exterior layer of the enclosing membrane is equiped with chambers that will be filled with regolith. a 3d sinthered regolith shell will be printed over the habitat at a later stage.

connetion to small

small plant growing module

to be used for food production until the small green units arrive

research area

are placed at each entrance/ exit point. these openings will let some natural light in and will cater for the psychological well-being of the inhabitants.

hatch windows

toilet

private rooms

the habitat has a capacity of 4 to 6 people. the middle walls can be removed to allow for larger spaces and for crew members to sleep together

shower

kitchen

compactable wall

the walls are structurally conceived as a scissors system and are transported in compacted state inside the core. they covered with a soft translucent fabric, that is also acoustical insulating. this should give a more comfortable feeling and also diffusely spread the light within the private room

the materials used should be made up of hydrogen rich composites to protect against radiation. depending on the function of each layer, different densities and weaves should be considered. all materials used should withstand the inflation pressure at all times.

multi layered membrane

- smooth flexible self-healing layer to mitigate dust accumulation

- strong dense layer for micrometeorite impact absorbtion

- strong flexible layer for impact flattening

- regolith bags for radiation protection and impact mitigation

- insulation layer

- interior finish

- reinforcing stripes act like trusses connecting the layers, determining the shape of the inflation and providing the dividing elements between the regolith bags

HOW TO BUILD ON MARS

Building Type: A martian settlement has to have the opportunity to grow from a small, first habitat into a town. Expansion is easily achieved with a modular building type. We call those individual building parts units. Their shape adapts accordingly to their specific functions. Another positive affect is, that this idea increases safety for the astronauts. If one unit gets hit by meteroids or gets damaged otherwise, the crew has enough options to move the concerned function.

Materials: Ice is available under the martian surface, it protects against cosmic radiation and builds a massive building structure. The martian athmosphere mainly consists out of CO2, one of the most potent insulating materials. Because of the constant dust drift, a dust layer will automatically cover the building over time, which adds an extra protection shield against cosmic radiation.

Resources: Multiple energy sources are basic requirements, for a redundant, martian home. They offer light and power for humans and plants, to live together in an interdependent life-circle.

Location: We use naturally wind-protected areas, like valleys and troughs as building sites.

Main-Mission

Sub-Mission

Robotic mission

- building first habitat

- energy & water suply

PHASE 2: Explorers

Goals:

LOCATION

Our building is situated in Arabia Terra: The landscape is structured by mountains, craters, cliffs and valleys, but the topography still features enough flat hillsides, so it is possible to maneuver rovers easily.

4 main requirements for the construction are given:

- terrain: offers protected sites

- temperature: between -30C° and -80C° (always below 0C° )

- ice: available low under the surface

- dust devils: rare occurrence of storms

Exchange Mission

2050

2052 2060

2060

Exchange Mission

- exchange astronauts

- transportation

Exchange Mission

PHASE 3: Settlers

>18

Goals:

- Independent society

2060

Location map

Green Unit Home Unit Work Unit

Storage Sports Airlock

CONSTRUCTION

We designed a construction system out of a double-walled membrane, filled with molten, martian ice, which afterwards freezes again. The balloon-like modules are supplemented by so called „plugs“. These can vary in 4 different functions and 2 sizes.

The site plan on the right shows the rather protected situation of the building (Phase 2). It‘s covered in martian sand.

Protective-Plug filled with ice full radiation shield

Window-Plug filled with clear ice shells (frozen slowly & controlled) medium radiation shield

Door-Plug walls insulated connects two units

Airlock-Plug connection to outside

Plugs

1,2m

Seperated Units

Units unite some of the functions, which are needed in the entire building. They can have any size and shape.

FREEZER EXPERIMENT

Freezing water in a bowl for 20 hours.

After breaking the ice block into two pieces, the water from the center flowed out. We have got a very clear and transparent ice shell. The experiment worked well!

3 There is still water inside. See the result on the next page!

THE SHELL HAS TO BE INSULATED AT THE TOP, to freeze a clear roof. The water has to freeze slowly.

This should be improved: The ice of the "roof" isnt that clear, as the "walls"-ice. This is because the walls have been insulated by the soil, the roof wasnt.

1. Filling a bowl with soil and another bowl, with fresh water.

2. Freezing it for 10 hours at about -15C°

Door-Plug

Window-Plug

Furniture is integrated in the floor and can be folded out, if necessary. (tables, cupboards, training devices, etc.)

Insulation

Pockets filled with CO2 (martian air)

Floor

Made out of martian soil, tempered with proteins.

Planting

Structure water is filled into a double-walled membrane and freezes. It blocks radiation.

Protective-Plug

Plug-Cover space for instruments

integrated in the floor.

FLEXIBILITY

It‘s hard to imagine all of the different scenarios, which may occur when the first humans live on mars. This is why we chose to design with maximum flexibility, when it comes to the interior and its functions. We would like to draw an image of possible situations, happening in the astronauts‘ daily life, and also rare emergency scenarios.

Scenario A

To celebrate the birthday of one of the astronauts, the crew gathers at the round table.

Scenario B

Some astronauts join project teams and combine their mobile working spaces to work together.

Scenario C

After a crop failure, the crew has to increase the amount of greenhouses, to fill up the food-storage again.

Scenario D

If an astronaut has an infectious illness, he/she can be isolated in a different room.

Our VISION (Phase 3) describes the continiuous growth of the habitat. Because of the convenient docking-system with plugs, the future development is open for all scenarios.

The picture shows how a village evolves out of a larger amount of units. The building parts connect to each other,but also to the martian landscape.

MARS SCIENCE CITY

Space Architecture Design Studio 2020

Published by Vienna University of Technology

Institute of Architecture and Design

Department of Building Construction and Design

Hochbau 2

www.hb2.tuwien.ac.at

© 2020, Department for Building Construction and Design

Students

Maria Ivanova, Mykhailo Bula, Svetla Stoyanova, Jonas Gündar, Julia Vorraber, Kaitlyn Podwalski, Sahil Adnan, Elian Trinca, Sofia Ahr, Alexander Brückler, Embrah Hamzic, Alma Kugic, Julian Graf, Miruna Vecerdi, Rudolf Neumerkel, Birk Stauber, Eva Kaprinayova, Armin Ramovic, Gilles Schneider, Shkumbim Ajdari, Xhem Mujedini, Doris Binder, Bojana Gojkovic