TESSERAE
Self-Assembling Space Architecture
Contributors | Ariel Ekblaw, Joe Paradiso
Photo: TU Dortmund, Fraunhofer Institute
How will we build the coming generations of Space Architecture—the modules, space ships, and space stations that will ensconce our space-faring species? Can we move beyond the 20th century paradigm of cylindrical tubes in orbit, to geodesic dome habitats, to microgravity concert halls, to space cathedrals?The next generation of space architecture should delight, inspire, and protect humanity for our future in the near, and far, reaches of space.
The future of human habitation in space lies in self-assembling, adaptive, and reconfigurable structures. Rather than transporting fixed, rigid habitation modules and risking astronaut Extravehicular Activities (EVAs) during construction, we can lower payload weight, reduce assembly complexity, and revolutionize space-structure modularity by relying on reconfigurable, self-assembly. We are currently undertaking a multi-year research effort to study, characterize, prototype and test "TESSERAE": Tessellated Electromagnetic Space Structures for the Exploration of Reconfigurable, Adaptive Environments.
Photo: Jimmy Day
Photo: Jimmy Day
The “TESSERAE” name and multi-tile structure hearken to the small, colored tiles used in Roman mosaics, where many standard pieces, or “tesserae,” interlock to form a larger creation. We make this reference to ancient history, when designing an artifact of our space exploration future, to tie architectural elements together across scales and across millennia. TESSERAE will function as multi-use, low-cost orbiting modules that supply a critical space infrastructure for the next generation of zero gravity habitats, science labs, staging areas for on-surface exploration, and more.
TESSERAE parametric physics simulation showing in-progress self-assembly at habitat scale in orbit. Credit: Ariel Ekblaw
TESSERAE should be thought of as flexible and reconfigurable modules to aid in both small-scale, agile mission operations and grand-scale, iteratively expanding space architecture. Our mission concept focuses on supporting LEO, Lunar and Mars operations, with dual-use orbit and surface capability. Multiple, interlocking TESSERAE can serve as a larger volume orbiting base (e.g., "MOSAIC": Mars Orbiting Self-Assembling Interlocking Chambers), in addition to supporting the coming waves of space tourists and space hotels in low Earth orbit.
Artist's depiction of TESSERAE self-assembly in action, including use as an in-orbit and on-surface habitat. Rendering courtesy of TU Dortmund Fraunhofer Institute.
Flight Mission Summary
News & Publications
Ekblaw, Ariel, Anastasia Prosina, Dava Newman, and Joseph Paradiso. "Space Habitat Reconfigurability: TESSERAE platform for self-aware assembly." 30th IAA SYMPOSIUM ON SPACE AND SOCIETY (Space Architecture: Habitats, Habitability, and Bases). Proceedings of the IAF International Astronautical Congress 2019.
Ekblaw, A. and Paradiso, J.A., "Self-assembling Space Architecture: tessellated shell structures for space habitats," In AIAA Scitech 2019 Forum, Smart/Adaptable Deployable Structures (p. 0481).
Ekblaw, Ariel, and Joseph Paradiso. “ Self-Assembling Space Habitats:TESSERAE Technology and Mission Architecture for Zero-g Construction, ” In the Proceedings of the IEEE Aerospace Conference (2019).
Venkatapathy, Aswin, Ariel Ekblaw, Michael ten Hompel, and Joseph Paradiso. “Decentralized brain in low data-rate, low power networks for collaborative manoeuvres in space.” Wireless for Space and Extreme Environments (WiSEE), 2018 IEEE International Conference.
Ekblaw, Ariel, and Joseph Paradiso. "Self-assembling Space Structures: Buckminsterfullerene Sensor Nodes." In 2018 AIAA SciTech / AHS Adaptive Structures Conference, p. 0565. 2018.
Ekblaw, Ariel, and Joseph Paradiso. "TESSERAE: self-assembling shell structures for space exploration." In Proceedings of the Annual Symposium of the International Association of Shell and Spatial Structures, p. 317. 2018.
TESSERAE in CNN's Beyond Earth series
Space Architecture on BBC Future video series
TESSERAE discussed in Wall Street Journal op-ed, applying principles of urban planning to Low Earth Orbit
Project TESSERAE, a self-assembling space architecture on Hackster.io
Coverage @TNW2018: "Making Star Wars a Reality through Design Thinking"
Ars Technica piece on self-assembling space stations & biomimicry