Deployable Secondary Support Structures for Planetary Construction

Abstract

This research explores shape grammars and design principles for the development of component-based (kit-of-parts) foundation systems, secondary structure, and environmentally responsive building elements for planetary habitat construction. The study includes a survey of different foundation systems that can be used when the construction site is on a slope, rocks, variable terrain, liquid surface, or immersed within a liquid (Howe, 2000). Since most of the high priority sites with scientific interests present some difficulties for landing and setting up research stations (Cohen, 1998), this study investigates how the substructure can deploy and help to settle or establish a reliable platform for primary structures, based on the idea of a kit-of-parts system. Since the interface with the primary structures is important to have unified structural system, the model of the primary structures would be based on the characteristics of Class II Space habitats (Kennedy, 2002). Although in the discussion, Class I and Class III habitats would be involved, this is to ensure some structural components used in Class I can be reused in Class II development and help to construct or deploy Class III habitats. The focus is on self-deployable secondary support structures that minimize the space occupied in launching and provide large, lightweight structures that are low-cost (Tsunoda & Senbokuya, 2002a). The foldability during stowage, and unfoldablitiy during set up are crucial criteria in the selection of structure (Cohen, 1986), therefore the procedure for packing, stowage, launching, deployment and maintenance is discussed in the paper (Kronenburg, 1996).