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Space houses on Earth

24 August 2004

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The use of materials specially developed for space exploitation could allow architects to design breathtaking shapes and new dimensions in new buildings. Architects, designers and builders are starting to develop houses that reduce energy consumption and incorporate new technologies. The SpaceHouse presents a concept design for a new habitation on Earth based on a series of innovative space technologies.

Credits: ESA

SpaceHouse

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The spherical form of the SpaceHouse is the result of the use of high-tech composite materials developed for rigid, strong spacecraft structures. It uses highly efficient solar panels from spacecraft to generate electricity, which is then stored in lithium-ion batteries, further optimized by the use of a special energy-management system power-point tracker developed for satellites. The house is super-insulated and uses advanced heating, cooling and ventilation concepts. The SpaceHouse concept is a novel proposal for sustainable housing based on advanced materials and technologies developed by Europe for its space programmes.

Credits: ESA

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Artist's impression of the SMART-1 mission

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SMART-1 is the first ESA spacecraft to use the new and more efficient three-layered triple-junction gallium-arsenide (GaAs) solar cells. They have 21% efficiency compared to the 6-12% efficiency of those commercially available previously, which were made from materials similar to the solar cells used in pocket calculators. Soon GaA-based solar cells, which are the subject of further development by ESA and European industry, could also be a very powerful source of energy for other applications on Earth as well as in space.

Credits: ESA

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Proposal for Antarctic station based on ESA technology

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A proposal for the new German Antarctic Station Neumayer-III based on the SpaceHouse architectural concept. The objective is to provide a unique 3000 m² infrastructure with the most modern and environmentally friendly materials and processes, previously used in space. The Neumayer-III station will replace the existing Neumayer-II and should be operational by 2008. The model shows one third of the complete station which will have 12 legs.

Credits: ESA

From space to everyday use

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Space materials could allow architectural housing designs with breathtaking shapes and new dimensions while at the same time retaining or adapting traditional elements such as space and function.

Credits: ESA

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The Concordia Station is a scientific base built in Antarctica by the French Polar Institute (IPEV) and the Italian Antarctic Programme (PNRA)

Credits: IPEV

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The SpaceHouse has a spherical shape with the basic dimension of from 12 to 40 metres in diameter allowing for 80 to 2000 m² on up to five floors. It is designed to cope with:

wind speeds of up to 220 km/h (10 second gusts)
flooding to depths of up to 3 metres
earthquakes of up to 7.5 on the Richter scale
subsidence of up to 1.5 metres during the lifetime of the building
severe hail and exceptionally heavy rain
bush-fire resistance (to a certain extent)

Credits: ESA

Neumayer-III

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