A Polyhedral Approach for Design of Inflatable Lunar Habitats

Sudarshan Krishnan

doi:10.1061/9780784483374.092

A Polyhedral Approach for Design of Inflatable Lunar Habitats

Sudarshan Krishnan

School of Architecture

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Abstract

Despite some of the harshest conditions, Moon has been attractive to space scientists and designers for its proximity to earth. The benefits of long-term settlement on the Moon have been at the heart of space exploration for science, tourism, and alternative planetary habitats. The paper first briefly discusses the rationale for a long-term settlement on the Moon, followed by potential sweet spots to locate habitats considering the extreme environmental conditions. Suitable structural materials, loads, architectural, and structural design considerations are discussed. A habitat concept design based on polyhedral geometry and modularity is proposed. The truncated octahedron is used as the fundamental building block for its potential to add new units as needed to form a modular space-filled assembly. In order to keep the mass and stowed volume minimal, the structure(s) would be erected by inflating the individual units as needed. The adaptability of the overall system lends itself to accommodate different volumes according to utility of spaces.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	Earth and Space 2021
Subtitle of host publication	Space Exploration, Utilization, Engineering, and Construction in Extreme Environments - Selected Papers from the 17th Biennial International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments
Editors	Paul J. van Susante, Alaina Dickason Roberts
Publisher	American Society of Civil Engineers
Pages	1004-1011
Number of pages	8
ISBN (Electronic)	9780784483374
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784483374.092
State	Published - 2021
Event	17th Biennial International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments: Space Exploration, Utilization, Engineering, and Construction in Extreme Environments, Earth and Space 2021 - Seattle, United States Duration: Apr 19 2021 → Apr 23 2021

Conference

Conference	17th Biennial International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments: Space Exploration, Utilization, Engineering, and Construction in Extreme Environments, Earth and Space 2021
Country/Territory	United States
City	Seattle
Period	4/19/21 → 4/23/21

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Building and Construction
Environmental Engineering
Civil and Structural Engineering

Online availability

10.1061/9780784483374.092

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Krishnan, S. (2021). A Polyhedral Approach for Design of Inflatable Lunar Habitats. In P. J. van Susante, & A. D. Roberts (Eds.), Earth and Space 2021: Space Exploration, Utilization, Engineering, and Construction in Extreme Environments - Selected Papers from the 17th Biennial International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments (pp. 1004-1011). American Society of Civil Engineers. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784483374.092

A Polyhedral Approach for Design of Inflatable Lunar Habitats. / Krishnan, Sudarshan.
Earth and Space 2021: Space Exploration, Utilization, Engineering, and Construction in Extreme Environments - Selected Papers from the 17th Biennial International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments. ed. / Paul J. van Susante; Alaina Dickason Roberts. American Society of Civil Engineers, 2021. p. 1004-1011.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Krishnan, S 2021, A Polyhedral Approach for Design of Inflatable Lunar Habitats. in PJ van Susante & AD Roberts (eds), Earth and Space 2021: Space Exploration, Utilization, Engineering, and Construction in Extreme Environments - Selected Papers from the 17th Biennial International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments. American Society of Civil Engineers, pp. 1004-1011, 17th Biennial International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments: Space Exploration, Utilization, Engineering, and Construction in Extreme Environments, Earth and Space 2021, Seattle, United States, 4/19/21. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784483374.092

Krishnan S. A Polyhedral Approach for Design of Inflatable Lunar Habitats. In van Susante PJ, Roberts AD, editors, Earth and Space 2021: Space Exploration, Utilization, Engineering, and Construction in Extreme Environments - Selected Papers from the 17th Biennial International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments. American Society of Civil Engineers. 2021. p. 1004-1011 doi: 10.1061/9780784483374.092

Krishnan, Sudarshan. / A Polyhedral Approach for Design of Inflatable Lunar Habitats. Earth and Space 2021: Space Exploration, Utilization, Engineering, and Construction in Extreme Environments - Selected Papers from the 17th Biennial International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments. editor / Paul J. van Susante ; Alaina Dickason Roberts. American Society of Civil Engineers, 2021. pp. 1004-1011

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A Polyhedral Approach for Design of Inflatable Lunar Habitats

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