Hedratecture and Artificial Gravity

by Joseph J. Mangan, American Inst of Architects, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Engineering, Construction, and Operations in Space II

Abstract:

There is a need, according to the National Commission On Space, to develop three critical space facilities: A Space Base, A Variable-Gravity Research Facility, and a Lunar Surface Outpost. An attempt will be made here to make use of HEDRATECTURE, a sub-discipline of civil engineering, to develop special structural forms that could be of some value in approaching these goals. HEDRATECTURE is the art and science of building with structural frames that follow the form of the convex polyhedrons. The Lunar Surface Outpost using tetrahedral frames as structural supports has been previously described in 'The Expandable Platform As A Structure On the Moon' (J.J. Mangan, 1988). This paper will describe the addition of a ring construction near the Lunar Surface Outpost Base (the Expandable Platform). The rotating dwelling elements within this structure will provide artificial gravity along with a complete simulated Earth environment. The Space Base will also be developed as a Variable-Gravity Research Facility.

Subject Headings: Space colonies | Space exploration | Space construction | Aerospace engineering | Space structures | Space frames | Human and behavioral factors

Services: Buy this book/Buy this article

 

Return to search