Part 3 - ENVISIONING THE MOON VILLAGE – Space Architecture Design Studio SS2018

CREW three individuals in phase I; successive growth

MISSION LENGTH 6 months per individual mission end not defined

MISSION OBJECTIVE research on plants, fungi, algae, insects and cooking methods

LOCATION lunar South Pole near Shakelton Crater

CONSTRUCT I ON pre-fabricated deployable elements in phase I; isru for radiation protection

an escort of cultural development a research facility for food production on the moon

TUBE OF EDEN - FOOD RESEARCH LAB

Project by Alexander Garber | Katharina Lehr-Splawinski

FUNCTION

The Tube of Eden concentrates on food production and cooking. Cooking is a unique cultural feature of mankind. Eating is an activity that everyone has to do. Of course it is not only a must - it is also a pleasure and a social activity.

The project creates a research facility that offers possibilities to research the following: establishing a life-friendly environment; growing plants, fungi and algae; breeding insects; recycling, processing and preparation methods; recipes; creation of new plants; storing of terrestrial seeds for possible emergencies; as well as psychological effects of plants on humans in space.

ACTORS

The food lab is located on the lunar South Pole, near the Shackleton crater. It accommodates five to ten individuals, each of whom will stay for approximately six months. The individuals will be chosen from the following fields: biology (botany, microbiology, life sciences), engineering (life supporting systems, mechanical engineers),… There will be cooks, grandmas and other individuals with culinary background. In addition, several helpers will work along with human inhabitants. These will be natural helpers as we know from Earth (bees, earth worms and microorganisms), semifuturistic devices such as farming robots as well as life supporting systems sustaining a livable atmosphere and providing water, electricity, light, etc.

UTOPIA

The function of the ring-shaped lab could change over time. From the research facility itself it would progress to a mere garden with attached production units. The food lab could turn into a restaurant for visitors.

BACTERIA NITROGEN

HARVESTING

RESEARCH

RESTAURANT

PRODUCTS

HELPERS PLACES

FOOD PRODUCTION PROCESSES

FOOD SOURCES

WASTE

RECYCLING

FERTILISER HEAT

COOPERATION AS LEISURE

Construction

A foldable origami-like structure allows for densely packed transport. It furthermore allows to generate spaces with long distances while ensuring flexibility to shape it in the desired way.

The rigid elements of this foldable structure have integrated sufficient shielding and serve as a safe haven.

The complex foldable elements are complemented by inflatable structures that offer bigger spaces.

A covering with local regolith protects the structure from solar storms as well as radiation and minor impacts.

Payload Distribution and Robotic Construction

Space X Falcon 9 v1.2 (FT)

soil work robot cargo

cargo soil work robot

PHASE I

circular sun collector element: fresnel lenses split up sun beams for heat energy, electric energy (pv) and indirect natural light junctions every 10 m via a connection pipe

outgoing air

daylight dispenser

acustically and visually shielded chamber for temporary privacy

ingoing air flexible function elements see diagram

low maintenance systems stowage + exceptional manhole pictured manuals + special tools installations + service openings integrated in flooring

OUTSIDE

1,5 m regolith covering + synthetic 3d printed supportive structure regolith serves as solar radiation protection the synthetic 3d printed structure serves as meteoroid protection 0,3 m empty puffer layer serves as shock absorbant for meteoroid impacts uses a temporary inflated membrane as a lost formwork

0,3 m pressurised inflatable

3 cm debris protection

15 cm thermal protection

1 cm restraint and structure

10 cm airtight pressure bladder 1 cm puncture and flame-resistant innermost layer

INSIDE

multi-functional laboratory

SECTION D 1:50

SECTION C 1:50

Greenhouse and Life Support

Comments by David Nixon

+ Food production and cooking are understudied and ignored aspects of human spaceflight, the assumption being that eating processed food out of cans is acceptable, so it is valuable to focus on this subject.

+ Toroidal segmented greenhouse design unfolding and inflating from an accordion-fold payload is an excellent concept.

- Sharply-creased inflatable fabric can lose strength along the crease and joint lines but potential lower ambient pressure inside greenhouse segments may alleviate.

Living Quarters

Comments by Miriam Dall‘Igna

+ Extremely relevant theme and concept idea.

+ interesting design ideas for compact transportation and deployment by utilising origami structures.

+ Shape configuration contributes to maximise scientific experimentation.

Open questions: Further information on what species would benefit from pragmatic necessities, such as air purifying, would be interesting.

THE PAClings

Providing Awesome Conversion

Project by

CREW starting with 3 PAClings, the crew will grow gradually up to 8 or 10 PAClings

MISSION LENGTH the crew will change every few months.

MISSION OBJECTIVE recycling of human and green waste from all of the lunar facilities

LOCATION close to the other main facilities, like the Food Production Lab

CONSTRUCT I ON ISRU fabrication

Asrin Leona Palatöken | Irina Panturu | Marius Valente

The PAClings are a team of scientists who want to improve the lunar settlements.

The PAClings Lunar Facility will be in charge of the waste management for all the other facilities and thus improve the living standards on the Moon. By collecting the human and green waste, the facility will recycle these organic materials through different processes. At the end of the recycling cycle fertilizer for the greenhouses will be produced, in order to make the lunar settlement more independent from Earth. The by-product of this process is gas methane, which will be stored in tanks to later be used for heating.

The architecture will consist of two different types of inflatable modules, which are connected with airlocks. It will be very much influenced by the different processes that are taking place inside. An important aspect of the architecture is the biosafety level 4, which consists of multiple decontamination showers, air and water recycling needs for every laboratory. The living modules are strictly separated from the rest of the laboratories and can only be entered after a decontamination process. The habitat will provide enough space for three people. Each habitat is equipped with all main and sublife support systems and even has a special mechanism for collecting condensed water.

Where?

Near Shakelton Crater

... more exactly: near the Greenhouse Facility

Timeline When? The PAClings

First cargo and habitat

Robotic mission and preparing the first habitat for the crew.

First crew

First expansion

Waste production grows

Habitat and laboratory with a composter and heat reactor in testing

Biosafety Level 2

First testing lab becomes the bioreactor chamber. Additional inflatables for composter and heat reactor.

Biosafety Level 4

Facilities grow and produce more waste and so does the PAClings facility.

Biosafety Level 4

Future Architecture can expand; more recycling possibilities, like polymeres and metals.

Biosafety Level 4

Moonlings

Second phase with first working lunar station. Missions for mending every few weeks.

Habitats have increased in safety for the crew. Solar and nuclear energy production grows. Mission for a few months.

Transportation systems between the facilities have improved.

Self-sustainable habitat producing enough oxygen, water and food. Food production from the greenhouses for the crew.

Development of industry for futher missions to Mars. Lagrangian launchbase. Possible orbital stations for energy production. Gravity simulations.

Payloads

First stage

1. One main airlock and a suitlock for EVA.

2. Two inflatables of different sizes for one habitat and one laboratory.

3. One lunar rover and a smaller docking-airlock.

4. Crew with the first three PAClings.

Payloads

1. One main airlock and a suitlock for EVA.

Second stage

2. Two inflatables of different sizes for one habitat and one laboratory.

3. One lunar rover and a smaller dockingairlock.

4. Third main airlock with an additional mini airlock.

5. and 6. Two additional rockets, each with one inflatable and additional free space for scientific equipment.

7. Crew with the first three PAClings.

Chemical processes

POOBAGS BIOWASTE GREENWASTE H2OWATER O2 OXYGEN N2 NITROGENH2SHYDROGEN SULFIDE H2HYDROGENNH2AMMONIAPPHOSPHATE

STATION TANK H2O+ electricity

10% SLUDGE

Bioreactor

Habitat

Air fountain for collecting condensed water with small house plant racks

Eating area

3 sleeping capsules

Water and oxygen generator

Control station

Laboratory station

Axonometry

Methane, oxygen and hydrogen tanks

Outer shells

Water shells for safe haven

Connecting elements

Habitats

Complete structure

Details

Regolith 1000mm

Wall construction detail

Buffer Zone 800mm Inflatable 30mm

Safe Haven Water Wall 30mm

Suitlock detail

Comments by David Nixon

+ Another subject – biodegrading and recycling human waste – that deserves a lot more research and development among space nations, and a very worthwhile subject to study.

+ Rational approach to payload stowage and manifesting. - Burning methane with oxygen for heating would add more carbon dioxide to the crew respiration life support load and may not be the best way to heat the lunar base. Methane could be converted into something useful.

Comments by Miriam Dall‘Igna

+ Extremely relevant theme.

+ Well structured work – concept, programme, payload schedule and phasing are well explained and illustrated. + Good distribution of facilities, great diagrams facilitate an understanding of the flow.

LUNAR gravity research centre

Amundsen Crater.

LUNAR gravity research centre

The first children in low gravity!

SPACE ARCHITECTURE: ENVISIONING THE MOONVILLAGE

Project by Martina Meulli | Marta Mion | Bernhard Redl

TU Wien

Summer Semester 2018

Professor: Sandra Häuplik-Meusburger

CREW up to 5 families initially 6 people

Martina Meulli

Marta Mion

Bernhard Redl

MISSION LENGTH for many years!

MISSION OBJECTIVE scientific research first children born on the Moon

LOCATION South Pole Amudsen Crater

CONSTRUCT I ON use of lava tubes

The Lunar Gravity Research Centre focuses on the long term effects of the low gravity on humans and especially children. In this project, five pioneer couples build a base in multiple phases and will give birth to the first extra-terrestrial children.

The proximity to Earth, which allows for a possible fallback, should not trivialise the enormous personal dedication these explorers will need to have. With only the bravest scientists and future Moon-parents, daily life on the Moon will be organised by themselves, resulting in a commune style research facility. Humanity has reached the point where a exploration of deeper space and other celestial bodies has become important. This goal requires the performance of generation spanning space journeys. Distance and time ultimately require human reproduction on the journeys, for which the Moon can serve as first testing area.

The facility is deep inside the lunar rock, which shields the habitats from any form of external radiation, preventing degeneration of stem cells. Additionally, the interior of the base is organised in a way that encourages physical education and make advantage of the reduced gravity on the Moon. The base is self-sufficient regarding food, oxygen and water, but will be supplied from Earth with essential goods. Humanity already has proven that it can settle in harsh environments on Earth. Now it needs to be proven that this can be done on the Moon as well.

Main Concept Ideas

Time Frame & Payloads

4

The time frame begins with the first crew of four people bringing airlocks, PV for energy and an inflatable to the Moon. Additionally, the equipment for drilling the cave is brought to the surface of the Moon.

The inflatable greenhouses are brought shortly after the cave has been excavated, which is an autonomous task. Finally, when the cave is pressurised and the greenhouses are ready, six people arrive.

Drilling / Deployable Operation

For the drilling process, two mechanical jumbos are used. These machines are used on Earth in mining operations by deploying explosives into small drilled holes.

Machine designs and dimensions from Sandvik are used as a reference.

The excavated material of the artificially built cave can be used as additional shielding for the entrance area, which consists of a suite board module acting as an airlock.

Although independent and resilient, the Gravity Research Centre integrates with the rest of the Moon Village and uses services like transportation and enrichment of the diet by getting extra food from the food research lab.

The lunar port is used to enable scientists to visit the commune and to bring essential goods to the research centre.

Floor Plan

The greenhouses are stacked on multiple levels to create food and oxygen for the commune. In total, there are 18 greenhouses to cover the basic needs of the inhabitants. They are inflated once placed in the tunnels, which are drilled for them.

greenhouses with attached life support system

secondary emergency exit garage

entrance with Bigelow module for research main sleeping area

public living room, gravity experimental area

kitchen

Section of the Habitat

The main sleeping area consists of cones with a textile surface, which are hanging in the cave. The cones are of variable sizes to fit different family sizes and needs.

Smaller cones can be attached to bigger cones and allow for variable living situations. All the cones can be easily lowered to the ground by using a rope for easy maintainability and flexibility.

Most of the cones are dedicated to the members of the commune, however, some can be used to accommodate visitors.

mirror system to get sunlight into the cave

The main space is the highest part of the artificially created cave and is used to ensure physical health by using the lower gravity of the Moon to encourage the inhabitants to climb.

Section of the Habitat

This section shows the entrances to the greenhouses, which are inside the tunnels. The greenhouses can be reached by special ladders that assist in the climbing process.

To hide the pipes and technical infrastructure for venting and life support, an artificial floor is created on top of the cave’s natural surface.

This section shows the use of the suitport and the connection to the excavated cave. The suitport keeps the dust outside the habitat and provides the transition from the pressurised interior zone to the outside zone. The module is covered with lunar regolith for protection.

Comments by David Nixon

+ Study of human adaptation to one-sixth gravity as the defining phenomenon of a lunar settlement rather than a by-product of it.

+ Designing the facilities around one-sixth gravity as an innovative experience.

- Not a design weakness but rather a moral and ethical dilemma of raising children in a partial gravity environment and its potentially irreversible effect on human physiology – something that deserves some discussion.

Comments by Miriam Dall‘Igna

+ Interesting concept, especially when considering its placement within the Moon Village and the interdependence with other projects.

Open Questions: Furhter exploration of the interaction, which the desgin could cause between families, would be interesting, for instance isolation versus interaction. What are the best facilities to experiment with lower gravity?

LUNAR PEARL

Project by Luka Slivnjak | Simon Sekereš

CREW 3 astronauts

MISSION LENGTH 28 days, up to 3 months

MISSION OBJECTIVE lava tubes scouting, geological research and human factors research

LOCATION North Pole (Philolaus crater)

CONSTRUCT I ON prefabricated and deployable modules for the first phase; use of lava tubes

The design concept of the exploration centre follows the idea of a pearl in a shell, because the main goal is to make a module that can be later moved from the surface to the inside of the lava tubes. In the beginning, the module has to be located on the surface, because the topography and structural stability of the lava tubes is not known.

Lava Tube Rational

The Lunar Pearl concentrates on the topic of lava tube exploration. Lava tubes provide a sheltered environment that has a huge potential for human habitation. The protection against micrometeoroids (1) and radiation (2) along with constant temperatures (3) are some of the advantages that lava tubes provide. However, there are a lot of things that we do not know about lava tubes, for example the topography, their structural stability and the mineral composition of the bedrock. Detailed research would provide evidence of the lava tubes suitability for human habitation. Geological research of the lava tubes could also provide evidence of a pristine, undisturbed lunar bedrock mineral composition. Lava tubes research is the key to understanding the history of volcanism and seismic activity on the Moon.

Location

Philolaus is a lunar impact crater that is located in the northern part of the Moon’s near side. It lies east of the crater Anaximenes, and west of the smaller crater Anaxagoras. Philolaus retains a well-defined form that has not changed significantly since it was originally created.

+ Enables diversity of habitat construction (on surface, inside lava tubes,...)

+ Near the North Pole

(relatively constant temperatures)

+ Possible ice water resources

+ Access to underground lava tubes and cave networks

+ Peaks of eternal light

+ Relatively young crater

+ Possibility for a good communication with Earth

+ Practice for Mars

- Not enough research done

PHILOLAUS

Storyboard

Observation

Arrival of module

Module transportation

Underground station

Robots build shelter

Module expansion

Robots research lava tubes

Using robots for early lava tube exploration seems to be a reasonable way, because it could be too risky for humans. With robotic assistance, a suitable place for the underground module’s placement could be determined to ensure further lava tube exploration and research.

Facing the challenge of how to create a multi-usable research module that is protected from all sorts of dangers that come along with constructing on the Moon (SPE, micrometeoroids, ...), the idea of having a fixed shielding system (1) that functions like a shell to protect the pearl (the habitable module) was developed.

Regolith is available on-site and is used as main material for the shielding. After the construction of the outer shell, the inflatable modules are deployed from the main cylindric core. The core houses most of the technical systems (life support system, hygiene, food preparation, work ...). The inflatable volumes serve as extension of the habitable space. Those can be deflated later, in order to be transported underground.

Core module

Inflatable module

Inflation system scheme

1. Shield

2. Module

3. Protected lunar surface base

Floor Plan

Life support system scheme

Comments by David Nixon

+ Using robots to build the shelter and then explore the lava tubes in advance of human arrival is definitely a sensible approach.

+ Modest initial size of the habitat with just three modules and suitport is also a sensible first step - Need to avoid venting any waste gasses such as acetylene into the lunar environment to avoid contaminating it (consider the Bosch system).

- Hemispherical shield construction needs definition.

Comments by Miriam Dall‘Igna

+ Very clear definition of the intent, giving background of the lava tube relevance. + Phasing well demonstrated.