Lunar and space architecture
Moon Landing, Lunar Module Eagle. |
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Space architecture refers to the practice of designing and building environments for the inhabitants of places beyond Earth, often including facilities for research and development. Much of the work to date has been for orbital space stations, lunar and martian exploration ships and surface bases for the world's space agencies.
There have also been a number of projects that simulate living conditions on other planets, with self-sustaining systems in enclosed biospheres which trainees and researchers can occupy for long periods to test our ability to exist in isolation. For more information see: Biosphere.
The UN General Assembly's resolution A/RES/65/271 in 7 April 2011, declared 12 April as the International Day of Human Space Flight: “to celebrate each year at the international level the beginning of the space era for mankind, reaffirming the important contribution of space science and technology in achieving sustainable development goals and increasing the well-being of States and peoples, as well as ensuring the realisation of their aspiration to maintain outer space for peaceful purposes.”
[edit] International committee
The Space Architecture Technical Committee (SATC) is one of the first formal organisations of space architects and industrial designers. It is an international committee of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and organises sessions at international space conferences, advises on required skills, promotes and assists in research, and provides liaison between aerospace engineering, architecture and industrial design disciplines.
The SATC Charter states: "This charter defines Space Architecture broadly to encompass architectural design of living and working environments in space-related facilities, habitats, and vehicles. These environments include, but are not limited to: space vehicles, stations, habitats and lunar and planetary bases; and earth-based control, experiment, launch, logistics, payload, simulation and test facilities. Earth analogs to space applications may include Antarctic, airborne, desert, high altitude, underground, undersea environments and closed ecological systems. Designing these forms of architecture presents a particular challenge: to ensure and support safety, habitability, human reliability, and crew productivity in the context of extreme and unforgiving environments."
For more information see: http://spacearchitect.org/
[edit] International education
In terms of education, the Sasakawa International Centre for Space Architecture (SICSA) is an academic organisation within the University of Houston that offers a Master of Science in Space Architecture, working on design contracts with corporations and space agencies.
In Europe, The Vienna University of Technology and the International Space University (ISU) are involved in space architecture research: "ISU is the sole university worldwide devoted entirely to space education since 1987. Today, ISU is made up of a unique network around the world with a Central Campus in Strasbourg, with hubs in the USA and the Asia-Pacific region, and partnerships with leading space organisations worldwide. ISU is a 35-year success story with 5200 alumni shaping the international space ecosystem in 110 countries including astronauts and entrepreneurs along with current and former space industry and government leaders."
[edit] International conferences
There are a number of International conferences on the subject of space exploration, in particular two that include presentations covering themes of space architecture are:
- The International Conference on Environmental Systems meets annually to present sessions on human space flight and space human factors.
- International Conference on Space Architecture and Architectural Design also meets annually.
[edit] Moonotopia
In January 2017, the online architectural platform Eleven announced the winners of an ideas and design competition - Moontopia. Moontopia was an international challenge exploring design-led solutions for space architecture. Students, architects, designers, artists, academics and scientists from around the world were asked to propose visions for a self-sufficient lunar colony for living, working, researching and space tourism.
For more information see: Moonotopia.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Biome.
- Biosphere.
- Futurist architecture.
- Futuro House.
- High-tech architecture.
- Moontopia Lunar architecture.
[edit] External Links
- http://spacearchitect.org/resources/#publications
- https://www.un.org/en/observances/human-spaceflight-day
- http://spacearchitect.org/members/space-architecture-technical-committee/
- https://www.aiaa.org/membership/join-or-renew-your-aiaa-membership
- https://www.isunet.edu
- http://sicsa.egr.uh.edu/conferences
- https://www.ices.space
Featured articles and news
Renovating Union Chain Bridge.
AI tools for planning, design, construction and management
A long, continually expanding list, any more to add?
Robots in the construction industry
From cultural characterisations to construction sites.
Empowering construction with AI integration
New horizons with a human touch.
A Better Hiring Toolkit for construction
Tooling up to hire under best practice standards in the sector.
Recharging Electrical Skills in Wales
Step by step collaborative solutions.
Ireland budget announcement 2025
CIOB responds with positivity, criticism and clarity.
The continued ISG fall out, where to go?
Support for ISG contractors, companies and employees.
New HES national centre for traditional building retrofit
Announced as HES publishes survey results which reveal strong support for retrofit.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Expected to become one of the largest activities in the global construction industry.
Scope determination appeals and the Building Safety Act
Process explained following release of appeals guidance.
The ECA industry focus video channel
Keeping update with the industry session by session.
Over 25 recorded informations sessions freely available.
AT Awards 2024 ceremony East London October 25th.
Revisiting the AT community at the 2023 awards evening.
The Community Housing Fund and built affordable homes
CLTN reviews the impact of the Fund and calls for extension.
The grading system of the Regulator for Social Housing
A background, an explanation and ten recent enforcements.
Construction, repair and maintenance. Book review.
Putting new life into a city with a 1900 year history.
BSRIA Briefing 2024: Sustainable Futures speakers
Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living 22 Nov.