Marlies Arnhof

This study investigates the mechanical properties of a novel composite for a lunar space habitat. The research aims to identify high-mechanical strength materials for a robotically fabricated habitat with in-situ resources. Several basalt fiber types and cementitious matrices were investigated for building a fiber-reinforced composite. The effect o...

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA) and faculty in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has developed a design for a permanently inhabited Moon Village at the south polar region of the Moon. In-situ resource utilization (ISRU) is consider...

In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) is a key enabler for the expansion of space activities beyond low Earth orbit. While early ISRU developments have focused primarily on mission consumables, the last decade has seen an exponential increase in research on ISRU for manufacturing. In particular, it has been shown that many resources available in spac...

Many space agencies have recently agreed on the Moon as the next step in human space exploration, and impressive progress is being made with regard to transportation, particularly launch and lander technologies. Meanwhile, a number of simulation habitats have been built and occupied by volunteer crews in order to study the human factors involved wi...

3D-printing of geopolymers produced from lunar regolith is an interesting option for space in situ habitats. In this study, the influence of the severe lunar environmental conditions such as extreme temperature variations and vacuum on the physical and mechanical properties of lunar regolith geopolymers were investigated. Additionally, the effect o...

When developing materials for lunar construction, it is essential to minimize the weight of components that have to be brought in from Earth. All necessary ingredients for geopolymers could potentially be sourced on the lunar surface, which is why the material might be an efficient construction material for infrastructure on the moon. Finding a che...

Mars provides plenty of raw materials needed to establish a lasting, self-sufficient human colony on its surface. Due to the planet's vast distance from Earth, it is neither possible nor economically reasonable to provide permanent, interplanetary supply. In-situ resource utilization (ISRU) will be necessary to keep the Earth launch burden and miss...