Design Strategies enabling Evaluation ON the lunar surface
- Paper number
IAC-05-A5.1.05
- Author
Mrs. Sandra Haeuplik, University of Technology Vienna, Austria
- Year
2005
- Abstract
The presented design of a mobile lunar base – MOONWALKER - is based upon the results of an intensive research work. The design environment Moon and the associated special conditions were analyzed and evaluated. Results of psychological and sociological studies, combined with aspects of the perception and creation of space lead to a stable sustainable concept and draft for a mobile lunar base, where the focus is shifted to the relative connection of the technical and functional design components. Not all open questions will be clarified at the time MOONWALKER One lands on the lunar surface.
More likely, MOONWALKER will clarify many questions itself. Thus we need a flexible but stable concept that permits the evaluation on the lunar surface and their lasting implementation.
The architectural method of approaching any challenge aims not only at finding a solution for a specific topic, but also to question and to get to the bottom of established absolute terms. Taking the only constant – the unpredictability, the adaptability – into account is a substantial factor, because Humans and Space are in constant reciprocal interaction.
So far this mutable constant was neglected in manned mission strategies. However, the experience shows that the factor time and thus convertibility must be taken into account from the first draft on. This is the only way to achieve a sustainable and competitive concept containing so many variables and to convert it to preliminary and final design engineering.
I will present excerpts from the following diverse but linked concept levels and their respective architectural translation:
Contextual adaptability: includes basic circumstances and projects-specific-decisions concerning the first lunar base, E.g. Mission Design, Mobility, Life span and Design environment. In order to ensure the functioning over a long period, changes in place, mission details, must be implemented from the beginning.
External adaptability: contains decisions concerning the protecting external envelope or interface between the outside and the inside and all interfaces within the external envelope.
Internal adaptability: concerns the constant reciprocal effects between space, humans and objects with special focus on the perception of space and conditions within a micro-society.
Reflexive adaptability: includes mechanisms and tools to receive feedback on design performance as well as to feed-forward a response to adjustable and adaptive systems.
MOONWALKER is a living concept. The design of this mobile lunar base is the result of the interaction and ongoing optimization of all concept and draft levels, which are required for such a complex and sustainable task.
Keywords: Walking lunar base, Mobility, Flexibility, Adaptability, Re-configurability, Inflatable Technology, Sustainability, Cognitive Design Strategies- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-05-A5.1.05.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.