Habitat Demonstration Unit – Deep Space Habitat
Even in space, there’s no place like home
Regardless of what
surface they’re exploring, at the end of a long day collecting
geological samples or performing scientific experiments, astronauts
need a base of operations to return to. NASA architects, engineers
and scientists are already busy creating exactly that – sustainable,
space- based living quarters, workspaces and laboratories for
next-generation human spaceflight missions. The knowledge gained
from NASA’s rich spaceflight history, as well as low Earth orbit
projects, such as the International Space Station, is being used
in conjunction with Earth-based analog research from the Desert RATS
(or Research and Technologies Studies) tests in Arizona to identify
and evaluate the most efficient combination of systems, the optimum
crew size and best operations conceptions for exploration. NASA can
then use the knowledge as we expand our presence to new destinations,
like asteroids, near-Earth objects, Lagrange points, the moon, Mars
or Mars’ moons.
Building a space habitat to maintain good physical and mental
health during long- duration space missions is critical to
long- term exploration. Incorporating “smart” habitat systems and
safety features to mitigate the effects of the hazardous natural
environment, supplying adequate air and water, providing waste disposal
and recycling, regulating temperature, preserving food supplies and
accommodating physical exercise are all issues that must be addressed
to allow humans to perform deep space missions.
NASA is preparing for future space travel by developing new
intelligent operating systems and hardware. To assess new technologies,
NASA has brought together the Habitat Demonstration Unit (HDU) Project
to develop habitat configurations for testing and evaluation. The
HDU Project provides flexibility in testing and evaluating architectural
configurations and mission operations concepts for possible destinations,
as defined by NASA’s Human Spaceflight Architecture Team. The project
employs a multi-center team – led by NASA’s Johnson Space Center
– that pulls together resources, people and skills to contribute
to this unique project.
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