Space Yurt

Extreme Redesign- Space Yurt The space is a “yurt-like” temporary shelter for astronauts on missions in outer space. The shelter is meant to be packed flat, and constructed out of lightweight, composite material tubes held together by wires. The Space Yurt foldable base and top can be 3-d printed. The shelter has an entrance in which an airlock mechanism can be placed. To protect the astronaut from the elements, the yurt has a dual layer system in which a heavy duty composite material tarp is placed on the outside and inside, with insulation in the middle and the wire support in the middle. Long term habitation on Mars would most likely occur within the hollow lava tubes to protect the settlement from UV radiation, strong sand storms, and other threats. However, it is important that there be ice within those lava tubes to allow for sustainable growth. It would take some time to find an ideal tube for habitation, and the Space Yurt would provide for a temporary shelter for the interim time period. Furthermore, the Space Yurt can be adapted for use after the creation of a permanent base area. If scientists are interested in a multi-day field experiment, they can set up the Space Yurt as a temporary base. The design draws from the traditional Mongolian design of the yurt used by the nomadic inhabitants of the Gobi Desert as a model to sustain humans in a similarly harsh environment.