Space Architecture design and prototyping in planetary analogue environments

In this decade we aim to come back to the Moon to stay.

It is therefore crucial to develop reliable and safe settlements that adequately protect astronauts physical and mental well-being from all possible threats that the hostile environment of extraterrestrial space presents.

ArchiSpace aims to design and build sub-systems prototypes (e.g., walls, roofs, living spaces, etc.) of human infrastructures to be built on planetary surfaces, which will be tested in planetary analogue environments.

This project represents the first effort, to the best of our knowledge, to use environmental and geological setting analogues as a base to define architectural constraints, sketch design and prototypes to be used in future space human settlements.

Archispace is pioneering a new fields of interdisciplinary and intersectoral research in Europe by bridging geology/space sciences and architecture/space architecture.

Geology/space science is crucial because the subsurface plays a fundamental role in the selection of the landing sites and the location of 'human-focused' habitats. Architecture/space architecture has a key role in designing comfortable, safe and functional habitats.

Our complementary partners are leaders in their respective sectors and hold the necessary know-how and/or technology level to achieve the Archispace objectives.

In addition, the human settlements to be developed will involve (new) low impact, low-cost and light operations and ISRU materials. This planetary green approach could also be applied on Earth.

The project will create, through the planned secondments, common standards, methods and prototypes for the development of space bases on Moon and Mars in the future; which will be tested in three joint field activities (e.g., in Morocco analogues sites).

Thus, Archispace promotes an innovative international, inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary research and innovation collaboration that can contribute to Europe's competitiveness and growth.