Advances in extra-terrestrial structural design: From moonquakes to ISRU

Dates: Thursday 17th + Friday 18th September

As the kick-off workshop for the EPSRC project ‘Designing for the Future: Optimising the structural form of regolith-based monolithic vaults in low-gravity conditions’, the aim is to investigate the behaviour of monolithic adobe structures in low-gravity to design optimal structures.

In support of future space exploration, such structures will act as shielding to protect critical assets (such as robots, fuel tanks and power stations) and future inflatable structures (such as living quarters) from extreme extra-terrestrial environments.

Linear and nonlinear numerical structural modelling and parametric static and dynamic analyses will identify the optimal design approach. The aim is to utilise in-situ resources for construction, so as to minimise the weight on future manned explorations.

There have been much recent and ongoing research on: 1. the mechanical properties of regolith (simulants); 2. the In-situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU) framework; and 3. the advances in 3D printing for extra-terrestrial construction. We believe it is time to combine the breakthroughs made in these fields with structural design strategies developed for engineered structures on Earth, in order to define a multidisciplinary approach towards identifying optimal forms in low-gravity structures, subject to extra-terrestrial dynamic environmental actions.

This workshop will focus on advances in extra-terrestrial structural design covering many aspects of the project:

• ENVIRONMENT: Natural hazards with a particular focus on ground motions (moonquakes and meteor impacts)

• STRUCTURES: Particularly optimising regolith shielding structures

• MATERIALS: Structural materials made out of local regolith following the In-Situ-Resource-Utilisation (ISRU) strategy

• APPLICATIONS: Including ISRU, robotics, 3D printing in extreme conditions, and more.

Workshop Programme

Thursday 17/09

15:00-15:30 Introduction by Dr Georgios Kampas, University of Greenwich and Dr Sam Wilkinson, Foster + Partners

15:30-16:10 Keynote Lecture: An Overview of Extra-Terrestrial Construction Activities at NASA and Future Trends by Rob Mueller, NASA Swamp Works

16:10-16:40 Prof Haym Benaroya, Rutgers University

16:40-17:10 Angeliki Kapoglou, ESA, UCL IIPP

17:10-17:40 Prof Yosio Nakamura, University of Texas @ Austin

17:40-18:10 Dr Olga-Joan Ktenidou, National Observatory of Athens

18:10-18:40 Dr Nicos Kalapodis, University of Greenwich

18:40-19:10 Dr Christian Málaga-Chuquitaype, Imperial College London

Friday 18/09

15:30-16:00 Prof Matthias Sperl, DLR

16:00-16:30 Dr Philip Metzger, University of Central Florida, Florida Space Institute

16:30-17:00 Hanna Läkk, ESA Advanced Concepts Team

17:00-17:30 Dr Sam Wilkinson, Foster + Partners

17:30-18:00 Dr Thanos Goulas, Loughborough University

18:00-18:30 Keegan Kirkpatrick, RedWorks Construction Technologies Inc.

18:30-19:00 Prof Yang Gao, FAIR SPACE Hub, Surrey Space Centre-STAR LAB

19:00 Discussion -- Closure

All times mentioned above are UTC+01:00 (UK time).

Funder: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

Grant: EP/S036393/1

PI of the project: Dr Georgios Kampas, University of Greenwich, UK

Research Associate: Dr Nicos Kalapodis, University of Greenwich, UK

Academic Project Partners:

Dr Olga-Joan Ktenidou, National Observatory of Athens, Greece

Prof Jonathan Knappett, University of Dundee, UK

Prof Yosio Nakamura, University of Texas @ Austin, USA

FAIR SPACE Hub, Surrey, UK

Industrial Partners:

Foster + Partners

AECOM

It is suggested to register for both days.

The programme and the link to the workshop will be communicated to the attendees closer in time.