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SPACE ARCHITECTURE – an OVERVIEW and ITS RELATIONSHIP with GENERAL ARCHITECTURE PROFESSION David, Yu-King, Wong, Bsc, M

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SPACE ARCHITECTURE – an OVERVIEW and ITS RELATIONSHIP with GENERAL ARCHITECTURE PROFESSION David, Yu-King, Wong, Bsc, M 2003 AIAA Space Technology Conference, Long Beach, California, 23-25 September 2003 SPACE ARCHITECTURE – AN OVERVIEW AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH GENERAL ARCHITECTURE PROFESSION David, Yu-King, Wong, BSc, M. Arch. Student University of Bath, UK [email protected] Abstract Space Architecture: an emerging discipline. Still at its Manifesto of Space Architecture” is the first attempt infancy, much of its roles and definitions are matter of to recognise space architecture as a discipline of its debate and discussions. Recently many international own, strive to define its relation to both architecture and architecture workshops and symposia have put focus space industry professional bodies. It also laid out the on the future development and goals for this upcoming parameters and values that space architecture concerns genre. Through the process of many discussions and abided by. The full content of the manifesto can be it became clear that education would play a very found in the Appendix A. significant role to the future of this discipline. Space Architecture would not be professionally recognized until This paper builds upon from the discussions and it could relate back to the general architectural practice. comments made from the previous workshops, it aims It is necessary to consider how to deliver the related to contribute to the foundation of the syllabus for space knowledge and understanding to the designers. Not only architecture education; This includes the definition to the devoted ‘space architect’, but also to the general of Space Architecture, history of its development, its ‘architect who is just interested into space’. relationship with other disciplines and the many roles the discipline is responsible for. Beyond the syllabus, This paper strives to give an overview of space it is also important for architecture and space industry architecture at its current state; a diagram to demonstrate profession to appreciate the beneficial added values some of the critical factors space architects have to that come from the space architecture discipline. Space consider when designing for space, followed by examples industry could gain the much needed creativity inputs of the multi-disciplinary nature of space architecture, and alternative rationale based on humanity instead along with a map showing the reciprocal relationship of efficacy from space architecture. The architecture between space architecture and other disciplines. A brief profession would benefit from the extensive multi- summary of previous generations of space design to disciplinary nature of space architecture, as well as an explain where space architecture came from, and where unique opportunity to challenge existing preconceptions it will be heading. This package of knowledge is aimed to and means of practice. Space Architecture itself would deliver a better understanding to the general public and need the support of both general architecture practice architecture profession on what space architecture is and space industry in order to conduct its education really about, and hope to clarify some misconceptions in effectively. Their recognitions also help consolidating its return. Last but not least, this paper aims to put together identity as a respectful and valuable discipline. a case study of space architecture – to demonstrate how the professional recognition of space architecture could An overview of Space Architecture benefit all the key players involved, and how various critical issues could limit space architecture, causing it Today Space Architecture is a very specialized subject. to be regarded as merely white elephant for a very long Sometimes it is considered as part of the spacecraft time. The prospect of space architecture may rely on systems, while at on the other hand it is being closely the general architectural education to recognizing the associated with Sci-Fi designs and technology significant added value space architecture has to offer. forefront. Introduction: Definition of Space Architecture: “Architecture” is a word infused with many meanings. It “Space Architecture is the theory and practice of is not an easy task to derive a single, pristine definition designing and building inhabited environments in outer for Space Architecture. During the World Space space.”2 Congress at Houston in October 20021, a group of space professionals including scientists, engineers, architects, One of the defining roles of Space Architecture is its designers and many other experts and enthusiasts close collaboration with many disciplines. Therefore came together and discuss about the nature and one could look at how Space Architecture relate to other prospect of space architecture. The workshop session disciplines in order to get a better understanding of its was concluded by a set of fundamental principles and roles and criteria. A graphical representation showing statements concerning about space architecture, agreed the relationship between space architecture and other upon by the participants and was delivered as the end disciplines can be found in the following diagram 1. product of many discussions. This “Millennium Charter 1 Diagram 1: Relationship diagram between Space Architecture and other disciplines 2 Space Architecture and terrestrial architecture The first type usually originates from the cosmic The relationship between Space Architecture and background, or solar flares and coronal mass ejections terrestrial architecture is quite similar to that between from the Sun. It could constitute serious health risk to the Newton’s classical and Einstein’s relativity physics; crew in any space vehicles. The second type is originated Newton’s classical laws of physics are true and correct from the Sun. Aurora Borealis which is sometimes visible but it is a law of localization and specialization. Therefore on the sky of the Polar Regions on Earth is an indirect it can only provide a good approximation under very effect resulting from these solar wind-driven electrons limited and specific condition. While Einstein’s law of bombardments to our Earth atmosphere. It poses relativity introduces a much more general, much broader serious threat to electronic circuits, potentially shut down view of physics, one that can be applied to anywhere in or cause permanent damage to electronic equipments the habitable universe. It represents a more fundamental by elctrostatic discharges, including critical components and more pristine form of understanding towards the like solar panels and life support systems. physical universe. Radiation also causes significant impact on the space Space Architecture can be regarded as the generalization architecture itself too. Many materials could have their of terrestrial architecture3. It does not limit itself to one properties and structural behaviour changed by severe set of prefixed rules. It challenges all preconceptions radiation. There are many scientific studies and research that we abide by for granted. It encourages us to extend ongoing currently, focusing on this topic in order to gain our imagination and creativity, to “think out of the box”. a better understanding on the subject.6 Not to be restrained by gravity and earthly traditions, and forces us to question ourselves thoroughly on how Thanks to our planet Earth’s atmosphere, the majority of extreme environment affects architecture and its users. the harmful radiation from outer space has been filtered What will architecture be like if there is no gravity or low out before they reached the ground. Therefore radiation gravity? How will an architect deal with a situation of Low rarely comes into design consideration for terrestrial Earth Orbit structure (e.g. International Space Station), architecture. However, even at the attitude of Low where sun touches our Earth horizon every 45 minutes? Earth Orbit (approx. 150-900km altitude), we no longer And ultimately, can human live comfortably and safely in have the luxury of being protected by the atmosphere. space? These are some serious architectural questions Beyond that we could be outside the coverage of our still waiting to be answered. And there is no other Earth’s magnetosphere and become directly exposed discipline would have a better capacity to solve these to the solar wind and cosmic rays. Therefore all space than architects would. architecture design must provide sufficient protection against the radiation. It is important to note that Space Architecture is not only applicable in space. As mentioned above, Space Volumetric & Delivery Constraints Architecture can be considered as the generalization of One of the major challenges of constructing orbital terrestrial architecture. Its theoretical and philosophical structure is that all construction materials must be basis should remain true anywhere in the universe and delivered from Earth to the orbit in the first place. The certainly could apply back on Earth. Technologies and mass, dimension and volume of orbital structure is techniques learnt from space architecture could lead strictly limited by the existing launch capability to the to a much more efficient and environmental friendly orbit. Furthermore, the design of the pressurised volume design on Earth. Major space agencies like ESA have must conform the law of physics and aerodynamics. already recognized this opportunity and have developed Otherwise the orbital structure would receive a major research programs focus on this topic.4 penalty on its structural efficacy. Comparing to terrestrial architecture,
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