Challenges and Considerations of Architectural Design for 21st Century Space Population
- Paper number
IAC-07-E5.4.03
- Author
Prof. Olga Bannova, University of Houston, United States
- Year
2007
- Abstract
The purpose of architecture has always been to serve people needs and to provide a safe, convenient and comfortable environment for living and working. Though overall goals remain the same through the centuries, architectural methods and meanings how to achieve them have been modified. Social, political, geophysical and technological changes influence human life and have to be accommodated and reflected in architecture and design. Development of emerging space entrepreneurship and tourism will require substantial re-thinking of habitat environments and accommodations. More diverse and possibly less disciplined space voyagers and workers will make it necessary to place greater design emphasis upon social and psychological issues to create more comfortable and user-friendly settings for new generations of inhabitants. This paper will discuss special challenges and considerations to meet these future needs. Priorities that will be addressed include unique human factors requirements associated with weightless conditions in orbit and partial-gravity conditions on planetary surfaces; ways to optimize internal volumes within limitations imposed by payload launch and landing constraints; operational factors related to facility construction and deployment; and issues impacting general safety, morale and performance. The paper will provide examples of design concepts and research investigations undertaken at the Sasakawa International Center for Space Architecture (SICSA) to illustrate representative design approaches and guidelines.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-07-E5.4.03.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.