The Lunar Habitat Model by HASSELL and the European Space Agency was selected for the Royal Academy of Arts’ 256th Summer Exhibition. The show will start on 18 June 2024.
The model was designed as part of the Lunar Habitat Master Plan, which is also part of the European Space Agency’s Discovery program. The Plan aims to create a prosperous permanent community for almost 150 people in reduced gravity, featuring recreational, active, and enriching earth-based environments to support the work of national and commercial space agencies, companies, and tourists.
The physical prototype being developed depicts a portion of the adaptable community meant to sustainably support 144 people while overcoming the difficulties posed by harsh environments. The prototype is shaped by connected hexapod components made from 3D-printed sand.
“The Moon is an extremely hostile place to live. With no atmosphere, humans need novel infrastructure to access water and oxygen whilst being subjected to high degrees of radiation. We need to start planning for how larger communities can not just survive, but also thrive and live on the moon. Ensuring that the proposed habitat is adaptable to change was integral, as was accommodating various types of lunar settlements in the future. By providing both the 3D-printing technology that can be used on moon and lunar soil as its primary material, we also set the way forward for the habitat’s sustainable growth for decades to come”. said Xavier De Kestelier, Global Head of Design and Innovation at Hassell.
