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We have already seen concepts of lunar habitat and deep space on the Internet, from inflatable gathering places to lava tunnels converted on the moon, but what will NASA actually send there?
We now know at what point at least one of them will look like it is the final choice for sending in the cislunary space. NASA and Northrop Grumman's large-scale deep-space habitat prototypes – a habitat opportunity for the moon and beyond – have finally been tested on the ground since March. We could see the actual version of what is still a proto (for now) attached to the next lunar orbital platform gateway when the astronauts take off for a lunar mission as part of the Artemis program. the space agency in 2024.
The Northrop Grumman prototype (based on the company's Cygnus spacecraft) consists of a pair of modules and an airlock / tunnel. It "aims to provide a comfortable and efficient living environment as well as various internal configuration possibilities," according to NASA. As part of NASA's NextSTEP-2 program and the NextSTEP housing effort, it was necessary to test at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Texas. The models of Lockheed Martin, Sierra Nevada Corporation, Boeing and Bigelow Aerospace were tested at Johnson facilities or other NASA facilities.
The tests on this prototype and other prototypes were intended to give NASA an idea of what the life and work on the bridge will be for astronauts. Distinct aspects of the habitat have been evaluated by specialized NASA teams. The engineers looked at the capabilities and performance because this element has to work in the space, while the human factors teams have examined the layout and ergonomics to determine if the effectiveness of the habitat was optimal and the other aspects of the performances.
Cygnus modeling is an advantage for Lockheed Martin because this spacecraft has already been tested and approved by astronauts. The three modules of the proto included robotic workstations, science racks, survival systems, radiation shelter, observation window, exercise equipment for the crew, a kitchen, toilets and dormitories. The largest of the habitat modules has an accessible axial port where an Orion spacecraft would be moored and would serve as gateway to the catwalk for astronauts.
Two shuttle / ISS astronauts and two astronaut candidates have lived in the habitat for as many days, performing tasks developed by NASA and Northrop to allow them to take stock of their real life and carry out all their operations. to if they were actually in space cislunar. It was like they had arrived at the orbit entry gate and had gone through two days as though they were on an entry door mission – meaning simulated versions observe the moon and communicate with a rover as well as the maintenance tasks that no one really wants to do. but should do so if they intend to maintain the habitat in the coming years.
With a prototype as a very real possibility of urban housing, it seems that NASA already has a foot in the moon.
(via Space.com)
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