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This book explores creative solutions to the unique challenges inherent in crafting livable spaces in extra-terrestrial environments. The goal is to foster a constructive dialogue between the researchers and planners of future (space) habitats. The authors explore the diverse concepts of the term Habitability from the perspectives of the inhabitants as well as the planners and social sciences.

The book provides an overview of the evolution and advancements of designed living spaces for manned space craft, as well as analogue research and simulation facilities in extreme environments on Earth. It highlights how various current and future concepts of Habitability have been translated into design and which ones are still missing. The main emphasis of this book is to identify the important factors that will provide for well-being in our future space environments and promote creative solutions to achieving living spaces where humans can thrive. Selected aspects are discussed from a socio-spatial professional background and possible applications are illustrated.

Human factors and habitability design are important topics for all working and living spaces. For space exploration, they are vital. While human factors and certain habitability issues have been integrated into the design process of manned spacecraft, there is a crucial need to move from mere survivability to factors that support thriving. As of today, the risk of an incompatible vehicle or habitat design has already been identified by NASA as recognized key risk to human health and performance in space. Habitability and human factors will become even more important determinants for the design of future long-term and commercial space facilities as larger and more diverse groups occupy off-earth habitats.

The book will not only benefit individuals and organizations responsible for manned space missions and mission simulators, but also provides relevant information to designers of terrestrial austere environments (e.g., remote operational and research facilities, hospitals, prisons, manufacturing). In addition it presents general insights on the socio-spatial relationship which is of interest to researchers of social sciences, engineers and architects.

Space Habitats and Habitability: Designing for Isolated and Confined Environments on Earth and in Space

1.    INTRODUCTION

1.1.  Acknowledgments

1.2.  Objective

1.3.  Structure of the Book

2.    DEFINING HABITABILITY: A REVIEW

This chapter summarizes the meaning of the word 'Habitability' in different disciplines. It explores the definition for 'Extreme' and Isolated and Confined Environments and summarizes observed effects on the human being in such environments. Finally effects of impaired habitability will be discussed.

 

2.1.  What is Habitability? - a historic overview of concepts and models

2.2.  Extreme Environments - Definition in Literature, What is considered an extreme environment, which types of extreme environments are relevant

2.3.  Isolated and Confined Environments - Definition in Literature, What is considered an isolated and confined environment.

2.4.  Observed effects on the Human Being - what (negative) effects are related to extreme environments and to ICE environments

2.5.  The Effects of impaired Habitability - summary

3.    THE HABITABILITY MATRIX

This chapter describes the interrelated model of psychological, physiological, sociocultural and spatial habitability considerations. It will explain its relationship and introduce each of the habitability elements: the human, as individual and group; the setting and time.

 

3.1.  A Socio-Spatial Approach to habitat design - Introduction and diagram of the interrelationship between social and physical space.

3.2.  The Elements

3.2.1.    The Individual ( condition, physical, behavioral health, psychology)

3.2.2.    The group (crew composition, selection, gender, culture)

3.2.3.    The setting (conditions of the actual environment, mission length, tasks, type of habitat)

3.2.4.    The time (mission lengths, changes during the mission)

3.2.5.    Summary

 

4.    PAST STUDIES ON HABITABILITY AND HUMAN FACTORS

This chapter gives an overview of relevant past studies that were related to habitability and human factors. For each study, the physical and social setting, as well as mission relevant details are summarized. An image and / or plan or diagram illustrates the content. Most important findings or issues are highlighted. Short guest contributions by astronauts and simulation crewmembers complement the information. A particular emphasis is put on full-scale and long-term simulation research.

 

4.1.  Historical overview - lists all relevant studies, short and long-term, including polar missions in a historical context. Studies are summarized in a table, but not described in detail

4.1.1.    Early Polar Missions

4.1.2.    Other ... desert, mountain, sea, ..

4.1.3.    Summary of Studies

 

4.2.  Habitability Studies in Space

This chapter gives an overview of conducted Habitability studies in space stations.

1.1.1.    Skylab Studies

1.1.2.    Salyut and Mir Studies

1.1.3.    Shuttle and ISS Studies

4.3.  Full-scale Simulation Research

This chapter gives an overview of selected simulation research missions.

4.3.1.    Biosphere Missions

4.3.2.    HI-SEAS missions

4.3.3.    HERA missions

4.3.4.    Mars 500 mission

4.3.5.    Other ...(NEEMO, Mars simulations in Utah, ... ) that should be mentioned, but are less important, because they have only a short duration ...

4.4.  Summary

 

5.    USER EXPERIENCES

This chapter covers personal experiences by astronauts, analog crew members on selected issues. Text will be taken from books, reports and  personal interviews. In addition guest authors will be invited.

 

1.1.  Sleeping on Skylab (Skylab Astronaut) - example, tbd

1.2.  Early Life on Salyut and Mir (Cosmonaut) - example, tbd

1.1.  Confinement during HI-SEAS (HI-SEAS crewmember) - example, tbd

1.2.  Working onboard ISS (Astronaut)

1.3.  Etc. - work in progress

 

6.    Exploring Solutions to SELECTED DIMENSIONS OF (Socio-Spatial) HABITABILITY

This chapter starts with a discussion on passive and (inter) active habitability elements. It will go into details to selected issues that are relevant to long-term living in an ICE environment.

 

6.1.  Passive and Active habitability elements - definition

6.1.1.    The need for countermeasures

6.1.2.    Passive countermeasures

6.1.3.    (Inter)Active countermeasures

6.2.  Interrelated Lines of Research - introduce disciplines / methods from other fields that can be relevant

6.2.1.    Incorporating 'Nature' into design (green building research, savannah hypothesis line research, etc.)

6.2.2.    Approaches that facilitate cognitive processing and stress reduction (bionomic fractal research, evidence based design)

6.2.3.    Concepts to psychologically enlarge perceived space (space stretching, Japanese landscape design, geometric illusions, etc.)

6.2.4.    Others ...

6.3.  Applications to Spatial Enhancement and Habitat Aesthetics

6.3.1.    Incorporating green spaces (multi-purpose green houses and aquaculture elements (using a living wall in a work space to refresh air quality, provide greenery and maybe grow corps?, also gardening activities)

6.3.2.    Incorporating bionomic design (fractal properties in architecture and interior design, etc.)

6.3.3.    Virtual spatial enhancement  (Virtual walls to provide variety, depth perspective, color, interest, stimulation, relaxation; MEC (multi-environmental chambers) or holodecks

6.3.4.    Surrogate views (Virtual Reality systems , Personal communication

6.4.  Applications to Time related Aspects of Habitability (possibility to change spatial compositions, appearance of certain places in the habitat, adjust to personal, small group and group preferences, etc.)

6.4.1.    Daily rhythms and seasons (technical support to pretend seasons, zeitgeber, daily variations, personal preferences)

6.4.2.    Other

6.5.  Applications to Personal Activities and Personal Space (and Privacy)
(Availability, spatial orientation, volume and configuration, object management, ergonomic safety, etc.)

6.6.  Applications to Group Activities and Group Living Space
(Territoriality, social logic, sensory perception, external relations, etc.)

6.6.1.    Communication (new technologies support)

6.7.  Applications to Activity related Aspects

6.7.1.    Sleep (restorative quiet time, sleep rhythms, etc.)

6.7.2.    Hygiene

6.7.3.    Food

6.7.4.    Leisure and Exercise

o   Virtual reality systems (gaming, music, art)

6.7.5.    Work, Training and Learning

o   Virtual reality systems (gaming, music, art)

6.7.6.    Other Health, etc.)

 

  

7.    Incorporating 21st Century Solutions Today

This chapter focuses on what needs to be done to make the next critical leaps forward.

It discusses research that needs to be conducted, resources/technology advances on the immediate horizon and those farther out. Potential opportunities for testing out different solutions will be discussed. Which political decision have to be made. What is the benefit for humans on planet Earth.

7.1 Surviving a deep space or Mars Mission

7.2 Solutions for Planet Earth

7.3 Summary and Conclusion