Concept

The concept behind this project is to create a flexible habitat that can be stowed in a small light package and automatically deployed by an unmanned space vehicle.

(early draft of the habitat)

The habitat is constructed of tessellating kevlar hexagons and pentagons joined by hollow flexible tubing. This is all attached to a solid airlock with a hatch for human entry and several service docking mechanisms. (more about this in construction).

(3d render on the deployed habitat)

The habitat is stowed in a folded configuration that becomes a large environment after deployment. The folded form of the habitat is stowed away on an unmanned craft which is capable of delivering and constructing the habitat prior to any manned mission.

(scale model of the habitat built during design)

After the spacecraft lands at its destination the folded environment is launched form the craft and then pressurised with compressed air. In its inflated state epoxy resin is mixed and and then forced into the hollow skeleton seperating the kevlar hexagons. When this has set the habitat will be rigid.