1,720,985 research outputs found
Computational Design and International Cooperation in Space Architecture Education
Full text linkSpace architecture is an interdisciplinary field that involves many different branches of knowledge, like space science, engineering, architecture, industrial design, medicine, psychology, and art, covering all aspects and needs for human space exploration in LEO and other celestial bodies, like the Moon and Mars. For this reason, the educational effort should involve a set of different skills in the various fields in order to design a safe and livable environment for sustaining human's life in space. Since 2020, the course at Politecnico di Milano “Architecture for Human Space Exploration" for the School of Architecture, Urban Planning, and Construction Engineering is implementing this multi-disciplinarity thanks to external reviewers, that are experts in the Space Architecture domain, and the collaboration, in the actual A.Y. 2021-22, with the Webinar Series at MIT Media Lab “Design Exploration: towards a Moon Architecture". The Webinar Series, open to all MIT and Harvard students, addressed numerous topics and aspects of designing a lunar settlement with several experts about history of space architecture, crewed missions, habitation systems and habitability requirements, In Situ Resources Utilization, Human Factor Design principles, radiation shielding technologies, sustainability of space exploration, and inspirational talks. The talks gathered space architects, engineers and professionals from NASA JPL, NASA JSC and ESA, astronauts, faculty from different universities (University of Houston - SICSA, UW-Madison, Université Paris-Saclay, SDU, University of Bologna, Politecnico di Milano, MIT Media Lab and MIT AeroAstro) and companies (Trotti Studio, Thales Alenia Space, SOM, ICON). Indeed, the students attending this collaborative classroom had to develop a space architecture project for the Moon or Mars. Therefore, the possibility to actively participate to this Webinar Series resulted extremely effective since students applied the acquired knowledge directly to their Space Architecture projects. The approach is different in case of short and deeply focused Workshop on computational design applied to Space Architecture on worldwide educational platforms, like the Workshop “Explore Moon Architecture" for Digital Futures and the Workshop “Mars Architecture" for Parametric Architecture. The educational strategy for these Workshops is based on the development of customized computational design tools for generating form-finding, multi-objective and topology optimization processes for space structures. Students learned how to use Grasshopper, an algorithmic modeling software, and several other plugins, like Octopus©, Ameba©, Karamba3D©, Kangaroo©, Weaverbird© and others. In this paper, some Space Architecture projects resulting from these two educational strategies will be briefly presented and discussed
ReSpire: Self-awareness and interpersonal connectedness through shape-changing fabric dispaly
No full textreSpire lets people bring tangibility to their invisible physiological state through shape-changing fabric deformed by airflow. We explore a way to support mental wellness via improving a self-interaction and interpersonal connectedness. reSpire encourages not only people to focus on their connection to inner body but also to interact with others through playful tangible interactions in the same location and develop a empathy. We created a non-machine like interface responsive to users' respiration patterns and hand gestures using a fabric and its deformation by airflow control. We also introduce a computational model to simulate the deformation of fabric by the variance of airflow pres-sure and direction. Various interaction scenarios highlight its applications not only to health but also to interactive art installation
‘Back to the Cave’- designing symbiotically operating habitation modules in Martian caves to facilitate the research for the human exploration of space
Full text linkIn recent decades, the research in the field of exploration of human habitation in space, particularly on Mars, has intensified due to its proximity, favourable gravitational conditions, and potential water sources. Designing a sustainable habitat on Mars poses challenges, notably protection from the Martian atmosphere and addressing psychological issues associated with living in a different environment. ‘Back to the Cave’ habitat is a dual module symbiotic structure system which aims to be expanded on a modular basis within a man-made cave system in the eastern Noctis Labyrinthus. The aim of the project is establishing a human base on Mars and researching the plausibility of human colonisation of the planet with the habitat specifically focusing on providing facilities for research of food growth, search, and validation of water sources. The initial habitat base will consist of two modules containing the greenhouse and the living/research spaces, conceptually inspired by the division of cells. The modules will operate on a symbiotic relationship exchanging the CO and O between the living/research and greenhouse modules. The infrastructure of the modules can be expanded on a modular basis creating a system of interdependent habitats. The modules are organised to provide the habitants with workspaces, communal living spaces, private living areas and a greenhouse in order to improve the psychological needs of the habitants. The eastern part of Noctis Labyrinthus has been chosen as a suitable location due to proximity to a relict glacier in order to conduct water research. Another benefit of this location is the valleys (cavus) that spread across the area which would provide a suitable landing site. The cave also provides protection from micrometeoroids and solar radiation. The modules will be thermally insulated from the inside and some internal furnishings will be grown out of mycelium. These methods aim to reduce the amount of transported materials. The project is divided into two missions, aiming to finally bring a selected group of six humans on Mars and eventually preparing the ground for a future colonisation of the planet. The modular structure system and the cave inhabitation system aim to offer sustainable design principles for incremental expansion of human colonisation of Mars
From Confinement to Comfort: The Role of Interpersonal Distance in Designing Space Habitats
No full textIn an era where the scope of space exploration is evolving and expanding, the importance of conducting psychological research within this discipline is becoming increasingly vital. Numerous questions about the psychological response to extreme conditions still need to be answered, as deep and long-term human space exploration still needs to be tested. Nonetheless, this is rapidly evolving into a tangible reality that must be addressed to properly devise strategic solutions that can serve as countermeasures to potential adverse reactions to prolonged isolation, confined spaces, limited and delayed communication with Earth, and reduced privacy. Studies indicate that the challenging conditions of the space environment impact astronauts' behavior, health, and cognitive performance. These issues tend to worsen as the mission duration extends, and new challenges emerge with increased distance from Earth. The design constraints of the mission introduce several challenges that compromise the goal of creating habitats where astronauts feel comfortable. Payload limitations, environmental constraints, and technological advancement play crucial roles in defining mission feasibility, often necessitating the design of habitats with limited spaces to meet these requirements. Thus, it is essential to develop innovative strategies to overcome these issues. This research highlights the importance of privacy and the perception of space during extended missions. Spatial perception can shift significantly depending on the context. The confined nature of space habitats may feel restrictive as opposed to terrestrial habitations, unencumbered by the intrinsic limitations of extreme environments, which might play a significant role in the perception of physical distances. The shift lies in the perception within that specific space, where distances that seem standard in terrestrial buildings become cause for social friction on the Moon or Mars. Personal space and privacy gain extreme importance in an environment that imposes cohabitation and confinement for extended periods. Thoughtfully designed architecture can mitigate these issues and shift human perception towards a more pleasing experience, enhancing cooperation, task management, and work planning thus reducing the risk of mission failure. This study aims to investigate the impact of spatial perception on human cognition during long-term missions and tries to propose countermeasures that incorporate architectural solutions and the integration of human-machine interaction considerations within the habitat design
Design Exploration for a Martian Habitat through a Digital Tool for Parametric Interior Architecture
Full text linkSpace exploration has always granted the achievement of great accomplishments in research and has provided innovative techniques that have improved technological advancements. For this reason, this paper focuses on the field of space architecture, a discipline that concerns the planning of structures in space. Research in this field makes it possible to update the methods usually followed by traditional architecture, thus finding novel and more technological approaches. Designing a resilient and sustainable infrastructure for manned missions on Mars is a new challenge that requires new conceptual design approaches, this concerns both the materials selection and the tools used to develop the project. Architecture in Space, as the synthesis of scientific domains that organize the life of humans, relies on some fundamental pillars that are intrinsically interconnected: space sciences, engineering, robotics, industrial design, ergonomics, medicine, psychology, and art. The extreme environmental conditions are a major technological challenge, but also an opportunity of exploring new construction methods using alternative materials, enabling architecture to progress and update traditional methods. In this paper, a habitat on Mars, E.L.L.E., an Extreme Livable Lightweight Environment, for 6 astronauts and a mission of 600 days has been designed within a cross-disciplinary environment at different scales, from architecture to interior design, and built on the knowledge and technologies developed for space applications. Challenging both space and terrestrial architectures to consider the relationships between human activities and the resources which support them. Previous research concerning human factors was crucial to make choices for the interior design process. Several psychological and physical factors must be considered because long stays in Mars' environment in isolation condition can have negative effects on astronauts, therefore architecture must respond to these needs, by developing smart solutions to reduce the undesirable effects. In this paper the relationships between individual-environment and individual-individual have been analyzed and taken into consideration to develop a circular interior architecture strategy, using a parametric software, and creating a script in Grasshopper, which is an algorithmic modeling program. This is an adaptive design tool, that defines the organization of the interiors of the habitat and can change according to several habitability requirements and astronauts' needs. A computational design approach has been applied to perform multi-objective optimization and form-finding analysis to support the decision making process for E.L.L.E. and future Martian habitats
A comparative analysis of three theses in space architecture education
No full textSpace architecture is increasingly making its way into the educational landscape, attracting more students to explore and begin their journey with the subject. Courses in space architecture are being offered worldwide, concurring to the teaching of this discipline’s principles. However, this is not the only way students are beginning to tackle the subject. For many, the initial encounter with space architecture occurs within the context of a master’s thesis, offering an opportunity to conduct an in-depth, guided yet independent research. Since 2021, Politecnico di Torino has initiated a series of master's theses in space architecture that immerse students in methodological research with the goal of designing lunar habitats, keeping track of the evolution of their work. This paper delves into the exploration of three different theses developed between 2021 and 2023. The methodological challenge posed to the students is to start from their competences as 'Earth architects,' and approach a project in an entirely unfamiliar context such as the lunar one. Rather than following a traditional trajectory of theoretical study of the entire state of the art before delving into the project, students are encouraged to develop an initial design proposal from the outset. This often emerges as an ‘unrealizable futuristic idea,' driven by their personal imagination. Building on the first "project," students are pushed to delve into the relevant literature and compare their proposal with known case studies, iteratively modifying their project to root it as they go along in the lunar reality, assessing what the conditions are for the project to be realized. This transformative experience compels students to challenge established paradigms in terrestrial design, questioning elements taken for granted on Earth, from the configuration of living spaces to the need to source energy resources and the use of different building systems. The project thus becomes the object of scientific research through the practice of the students, their actions and the products of those actions. Their proposals are then discussed and evaluated not on the basis of principles of quality as much as on their ability to respond effectively and credibly to the implications emerging from their self-produced analysis of the context in which the projects are situated. Thanks to the methodical documentation of the research phases, it is possible to analyze and compare the three works, drawing some useful conclusions both for the methodology of space architecture and for the educational observations and strategies of the discipline
SpaceHuman: A soft robotic prosthetic for space exploration
Full text linkThe project focuses on the human centered design approach for aiding crewed space operations in microgravity. The key element is enhancing the floating experience, while enabling humans to adapt in microgravity environments. The metaphor of the undersea world inspired the design of a body extension that can complement the interiors of Zero-G habitats. The analysis of the unique seahorse's tail structure became the insight into the overall biomimetic design. In fact, a seahorse tail enables movement, gripping and protection to the seahorse while floating. SpaceHuman is an additive prosthetic that can move around the body to grasp objects and handles in microgravity, protecting the wearer from injuries that might occur while floating in a confined habitat, while providing an adaptable and kinematically stable base. SpaceHuman has been designed through different computational design methods, to simulate its behavior in microgravity, and has been worn and tested on a Zero-G flight
Auto-inflatables: Chemical inflation for pop-up fabrication
Full text linkThis research aims to utilize an output method for zero energy pop-up fabrication using chemical inflation as a technique for instant, hardware-free shape change. By applying state-changing techniques as a medium for material activation, we provide a framework for a two-part assembly process starting from the manufacturing side whereby a rigid structural body is given its form, through to the user side, where the form potential of a soft structure is activated and the structure becomes complete. To demonstrate this technique, we created two use cases: firstly, a compression material for emergency response, and secondly a self-inflating packaging system. This paper provides details on the auto-inflation process as well as the corresponding digital tool for the design of pneumatic materials. The results show the efficiency of using zero energy auto-inflatable structures for both medical applications and packaging. This rapidly deployable inflatable kit starts from the assumption that every product can provide its own contribution by responding in the best way to a specific application
Design for isolation, confinement, and mental health during intensive care
No full textThe postpandemic scenario offers new options in the design of health devoted structures that could implement the lesson learned in terms of technology, robotics, machine learning applications, and artificial intelligence. This is particularly true when dealing with some aspect related to intensive care units, where isolation, confinement, and well-being preservation are severe constraints. Several aspects in intensive care units design have a strong similarity and correspondence in the problem setting for application to space exploration, where it is mandatory to guarantee health preservation and medical and psychological support to astronauts. A synthesis of these aspects is here presented and discussed. In conclusion, architecture and design could be very impactful for enabling patients' well-being during ICU isolation period, with an unprecedented opportunity to develop further and adapt these well-being enabling factors for ICUs facilities inside hospitals, improving patients conditions and treatments effectiveness
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