Antarctica to test prototype NASA lunar habitat

William Atkins
Monday, 19 November 2007 20:15

Science - Space

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is sending a prototype inflatable habitat to the cold, bleak and isolated Antarctica for a test under extreme conditions, similar to what it would face on the Moon as part of NASA’s new Constellation Project.         

The habitat is to be shipped to McMurdo Station at Antarctica. McMurdo Station is a science research center that is operated by the U.S. Antarctic Program, part of the National Science Foundation. It is located on the southern edge of Ross Island, due south of New Zealand.

ILC Dover manufactured the structure, which will be tested for thirteen months, from January 2008 to February 2009. The habitat is part of NASA’s Innovative Partnerships Program, whose purpose it to coordinate with other organizations in regards to technology, commercialization, and innovation in conjunction with policies and directives of NASA.

The inflatable habitat provides protection and durability for astronauts while living and working on the lunar surface. At the same time, it needs to be easy to transport and, thus, lightweight. The inflatable habitat being tested in Antarctica will be flexible enough to be taken down numerous times. It is estimated that four astronauts can set it up in a few hours.

The structure, when fully inflated will contain 384 square feet (36 square meters) of usable space, including eight-foot (2.4-meter) ceilings. During its testing phase sensors will monitor its ability to withstand being set-up, moved, and general durability. It will also be tested for its ability to protect crew members living and working inside.

A picture of the habitat is found on the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) website “NASA Tests Lunar Habitat in Extreme Antarctic Environment.” This iTWire article is also based on this LPI article.

LPI is a scientific research institute, based in Houston, Texas, that provides support to the planetary science community, which includes NASA.