Project Vestia: Future of Martian Habitats

Project Vestia’s main goal is to design and test a floor for inflatable habitat modules (IHM) in Martian or Lunar environments. Currently, there is no method for creating a stable floor in an IHM that does not inhibit the benefits of using that module, as there is for a hard shell habitat. The scope of this project is to: design and simulate three designs; manufacture and test scale models of the top two performing models; design, manufacture, and test different hinge constructions. Each final scale model must withstand 1668.2 N of downwardly applied force, a scaled down representation of what could be typical use modified to account for difference in gravitational pull. Three folding designs were created with Fusion 360 computer modeling software, and simulation was performed using ANSYS software. The hinges used in each model are all of one design but multiple different construction methods. Hinges were manufactured using each method, and then were subsequently tested to determine each method’s tensile strength and flexibility. The parts are all manufactured and tested by the student researchers in house, with materials obtained externally. Preliminary results show that with current design methodology, all models have a minimum factor of safety of 1.5 at the weakest point, compared to at least 5 across the rest of each design. The end goal of this project is to confirm a design and create a scale model of the best design with the best hinge construction method and publish the findings to encourage further research and apply this technology in future IHMs

Project Vestia: Habitation of the Future

Inflatable habitats are the next big thing in extra-planetary habitation, as they offer easier transportation, greater durability, and greater versatility than other current methods. However, as of now, there is no method of creating a flat surface for astronauts to utilize these habitats while operating on planetary surfaces. Project Vestia aims to create a system capable of supporting everyday operations on the surface of the Moon and Mars. Over the next year, Project Vestia will design and construct 3 different structures which provide a flat, stable surface for astronauts to live on, but will also be able to collapse with the habitat during transit. Project Vestia plans to then test these structures for both their weight-bearing capabilities as well as their ease-of-use during regular mission operations