Designing From Minimum to Optimum Functionality.
Journal article, 2011

This paper discusses a multifaceted strategy to link NASA Minimal Functionality Habitable Element (MFHE) requirements to a compatible growth plan; leading forward to evolutionary, deployable habitats including outpost development stages. The discussion begins by reviewing fundamental geometric features inherent in small scale, vertical and horizontal, pressurized module configuration options to characterize applicability to meet stringent MFHE constraints. A proposed scenario to incorporate a vertical core MFHE concept into an expanded architecture to provide continuity of structural form and geometric logic bridging between “minimum” and “optimum”. The paper describes how habitation and logistics accommodations could be pre-integrated into a common Hab/Log Module that serves both habitation and logistics functions. This is offered as a means to reduce unnecessary redundant development costs and to avoid EVA-intensive on-site adaptation and retrofitting requirements for augmented crew capacity. An evolutionary version of the hard shell Hab/Log design would have an expandable middle section to afford larger living and working accommodations. In conclusion, the paper illustrates that a number of cargo missions referenced for NASA’s 4.0.0 Lunar Campaign Scenario could be eliminated altogether to expedite progress and reduce budgets. The plan concludes with a vertical growth geometry that provides versatile and efficient site development opportunities using a combination of hard Hab/Log modules and a hybrid expandable “CLAM” element.

Habitable module

Lunar

Habitat

Human factors

Extreme Environment

Design

Author

Olga Bannova

Chalmers, Architecture

Larry Bell

Acta Astronautica

0094-5765 (ISSN)

Vol. 68 7-8 760-769

Driving Forces

Sustainable development

Areas of Advance

Building Futures (2010-2018)

Subject Categories

Architecture

More information

Created

10/7/2017