An Analysis of an Inflatable Module for Planetary Surfaces
Design and construction of a structure on planetary surfaces requires addressing a host of issues not encountered on Earth. A modular quilted inflatable structure consisting of thin membranes...
Construction and Development of a Human Base on Mars
Humans on Mars will face many challenges. Possibly the first and one of the longest will be the construction and growth of the base. In this paper a number of techniques are looked at...
Conceptual Design of Modules for a Lunar Base
This paper describes the development of cubically shaped aluminum modules which could be variously arranged to form living and working quarters for a lunar base. The module components...
Prototype Lunar Base Construction Using Indigenous Materials
A lunar base must be designed to withstand harsh lunar conditions, which include severe internal pressure loads and a high radiation level. Yet to provide for economical and rapid future...
Cylindrical Fabric-Confined Soil Structures
Using the local soil as a structural material can greatly reduce the transport requirements for constructing Lunar and Martian surface structures. A fabric-soil structural concept which...
A Horizontal Inflatable Habitat for SEI
The inflatable habitat described in this paper is a horizontally-oriented cylindrical pneumatic structure. It is part of NASA's ongoing effort to study inflatables as alternative habitats...
Inflatable Structures of Non-Circular Cross Section
This paper discusses six approaches to achieve an inflatable structure of non-circular cross section for use in lunar base development. Other papers have examined potential multiple uses...
Hedratecture in Severe Climates
There are still vast areas of the world that are almost untouched by human activity. There is need to make access to these regions with special new structures and there is also a need...
Inflation Concept Development for Inflatable Lunar Structures
Inflatable structures require mechanical equipment to initiate and maintain inflation. Several inflatable structural shapes and forms have been proposed by a number of different authors....
Lunar Habitats?Places for People
As part of President George Bush's Space Exploration Initiative, lunar bases or habitats are envisioned for long-term habitation by humans. This paper presents factors that should be considered...
Experimental, Physical and Numerical Modeling of Lunar Regolith and Lunar Regolith Structures
An extensive series of laboratory strength and deformation experiments have been performed on a lunar regloith simulant. Results of these experiments are compared to results from experiments...
The Design of a Permanent Lunar Research Station
The advancement of the United States efforts in space exploration and research requires the establishment of a permanent manned lunar research station. This paper explores the possible...
Evaluating Lunar Base Conceptual Designs
A large number of competing lunar base conceptual designs have been proposed in recent years. The range of assumptions and technologies used in these designs makes comparison difficult....
Design and Technology Assessment of Three Lunar Habitat Concepts
Three manned lunar habitat concepts, designed to support a crew of four for 28-30 days, are presented. Two concepts are based on Space Station Freedom structural elements and the third...
The Feasbility of Using Solar Optics for Lunar Base Lighting
This paper is a summary of research conducted to establish the feasibility of using solar optics in reduced gravity environments, particularly a lunar base. The research was funded by...
Tensile-Integrity Structural Concepts for the Lunar Surface
This paper suggests the use of tension cable structures of a particular type, Tensegrity structures, for a lunar base. Tensegric shells can be a system of bars and cable net. The shell...
Structural Characterization of an Articulated-Truss Joint
A first generation space crane articulated-truss joint was statically and dynamically characterized in a configuration which approximated an operational environment. The articulated-truss...
Analysis of Space Crane Articulated-Truss Joints
Three articulated-truss joint concepts for the space crane are studied to evaluate their static structural performance over a range of geometric design parameters. Emphasis is placed on...
The Challenge of Constraining Mass for Planetary Construction
This paper discusses the issue of minimizing the mass required to be delivered from earth for planetary construction. New machinery, methods and concepts are discussed....
Constructing Radiation Shields with Textiles for Lunar Applications
The problem of radiation shielding on the lunar surface is significant. The mass required for adequate shielding is enormous and economics would dictate the use of lunar soil for this...
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