Martian Treehouse
Design and model (virtually, with paper or 3D printed) the packaging of key mission components for size constrained spacecraft to minimize stowed volume, but maximize capabilities.
Using redesigned vacuum packed food packaging, we have designed an inflatable skeleton for a geodesic dome. We have made a cover using space blankets, which can be packed into a very small volume.
Using a slight redesign of the vacuum packaging used for food, we have prototyped (using modelling balloons) a geodesic dome inflatable frame for a habitat on missions to Mars.
Using redesigned vacuum packed food packaging, we have designed an inflatable skeleton for a geodesic dome. We have made a cover using space blankets, which can be packed into a very small volume.
We have designed some connectors to allow for fast growing trees (for example hazel or willow) to be grown within the structure to provide long term strength and durability. These will have the added advantage of producing oxygen, cleaning a small amount of water and contributing to the positive mental health of the inhabitants.
We have begun to design a smart connector which will allow the first astronaut to plant the trees and leave the structure to grow autonomously between missions.
