Feasibility Study For An Integrated Infrastructure To Simulate Extraterrestrial Environment

摘要

Martian and Lunar colonization is foreseen to be one of the next steps in human space exploration. Long-term manned spaceflight and the extraterrestrial planet settlement are the inevitable trends of space technologies and will enhance human knowledge in several scientific fields, leading to a better understanding of the wider universe and our place within it. Across the globe, engineers and scientists are working on many of the essential preparatory activities necessary to extend human presence further into Space, and, in this context, testing activities in a relevant environment are crucial for refinement of system designs and mission concepts, helping prepare for exploration beyond low-Earth orbit. In this regard, to enhance Europe's capabilities, the Italian Aerospace Research Centre (CIRA), within the National Aerospace Research Program (PRO.RA), funded by the Italian Ministry of Research (MIUR), has carried out the feasibility study of an infrastructure, MARS, for experimental activities related to Space exploration and extraterrestrial colonization. MARS will be an integrated infrastructure, consisting of innovative analogue facilities to simulate Lunar and Martian environment, able to cover and control a wide range of environmental conditions, such as temperature, pressure, gas composition, dust generation and wind flow regimes. This paper presents the feasibility study resulted from an extensive system analysis conducted with the support of national stakeholders and followed by the definition of system requirements for each facility. The project scope, the context and the international scenario are discussed, along with the facility design approach and the main system-level results.