NASA plunges into testing of home prototypes

NASA is seriously starting to return to the moon. Earlier this week, they asked more money from Congress to continue to develop the required vehicle technology and this week they are launching several months of testing prototypes of habitats in far – flung spaces.

The space agency will test five unique models presented by private companies. The prototypes give a glimpse of what life could be like aboard the Gateway, the spacecraft designed to orbit the moon.

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The tests will not lead to a single design, but NASA says it's considering using the tests of the five designs as a means to evaluate the design standards and potential risks associated with navigating in. the distant spaces.

Much to learn

"These tests have been formulated to allow us to compare side-by-side very different and innovative concepts from the American industry," said Marshall Smith, who directs human lunar exploration programs at NASA's headquarters in Washington. "Even if we do not dictate specific design when we buy American housing, we will enter the buying phase with much less risk thanks to the knowledge gained from these tests."

A collaborative team of NASA's private and personal experts will conduct the tests, which are expected to last several months. The tests cover both technical and technical capabilities, as well as more humane elements such as layout and how habitats contribute to the personal performance of the astronaut and to mental and physical health. physical.

The five companies that submitted prototypes include:

Lockheed Martin

The manufacturer of weapons and space equipment, Lockheed Martin, offers a design based on the Versatile Logistics Module (MPLM), originally designed to provide assistance to the International Space Station.

The design uses the Orion capsule that will transport astronauts to the moon. This habitat can be reconfigured to respond to changing missions and conditions.

Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman's design uses the base of the Cygnus Space Shuttle which supplies supplies to the International Space Station. The Cygnus is already evaluated and its new footbridge shows a space privileging human experiences while remaining flexible and configurable.

Boeing

A long-time NASA contributor, Boeing has developed several space station elements. Their design takes advantage of their experience to demonstrate a spacious interior with the additional possibility of isolating different areas for different atmospheres for payloads without impacting the cabin atmosphere.

Sierra Nevada Corporation

The design of Sierra Nevada swells like a balloon once in space. The Living Large Inflatable Fabric Environment (LIFE) offers a larger living space than its rigidly designed competitors. LIFE flamboyantly presents three floors of living spaces.

Bigelow Aerospace

The prototype of the Bigelow B330 is another concept that is developing in space. The smallest BEAM (Bigelow Expandable Activity Module) was sent to the space station in 2015, where it was extended by astronauts live on NASA TV. BEAM is now used on the station as a storage unit after completing its test phase.