[Interior] Configuration Options, Habitability and Architectural
Aspects of the
Transfer Habitat Module (THM) and the
Surface Habitat on Mars (SHM)
Abstract
In 2003 the architectural office LIQUIFER was invited to conduct a study for the first manned mission to mars, which will take place in 2030, consulting the scientists and engineers from ESA and other European industrial communities developing the mission regarding the architectural issues of the crewed habitats.
The task was to develop an interior configuration for a transfer module to Mars (THM) and a Surface Habitat (SHM) on Mars. The total travel time Earth - Mars and back for a crew of six amounts to approximately 500 days. After a 200-day-flight three crew members will land on Mars in the SHM to live and work there for 30 day. The entire mission program is based on our present knowledge of the technology and was compiled during a constant feedback-design process. Therefore all acceptance of this highly-qualified study are based on conservative numbers.
Long-term human space flight sets new spatial conditions and requirements to the design concept. The guidelines were developed from relevant numbers and facts of recognized standards, interviews with astronauts/cosmonauts and from analyses about habitability, sociology, psychology and configuration concepts of earlier space stations in combination with perception and relation of space.
Result of this study is the development of a prototype concept for the THM and SHM with detailed information and complete plans of the interior configuration, including mass calculations. In addition the study contains a detailed explanation of the development of the Design process including all suggested variants (e.g. inflatable modules).
A report has been published with the no. CDF-TN-030 - ESTEC-ESA.
