The International Space Station (ISS) has been serving the scientific community for over two decades and is expected to retire by 2030. NASA and its partner countries are working on developing successor space stations that can carry on the ISS legacy. Airbus, a European multinational aerospace giant, has joined the race by designing a modular space segment, called the Airbus LOOP. The LOOP has a centrifuge that simulates gravity for two crew members, making it suitable for long-duration missions to Mars.
The Airbus LOOP: Design and Features
The Airbus LOOP is a multi-purpose orbital module (MPOP) that is modular in design and consists of three decks. These decks are the Habitation Deck, Science Deck, and Centrifuge. Each deck is accessible through a central tunnel that is surrounded by a greenhouse structure. The module measures about 26 feet in diameter and length, providing close to 100 cubic meters of volume.
The Habitation Deck is a common area with large windows and exercise equipment, while the Science Deck has multiple computer terminals and an airlock for extra-vehicular activities. The Centrifuge is the most interesting element of the LOOP and consists of two weights and two crew pods. These pods can accommodate a single crew member each, and they contain exercise bikes that allow the crew to work out in a simulated gravity environment.
Each deck is designed to meet the basic needs of long-duration stays in space and can be equipped with mission-specific machinery and infrastructure. The LOOP can accommodate a crew of four and can reportedly support up to eight astronauts temporarily. The deck selection can be adapted to individual mission requirements and objectives, or the mechanical structure can be used alone.
The Centrifuge: Simulating Gravity
The most exciting feature of the LOOP is the Centrifuge, which simulates gravity for two crew members at a time. It is not yet known how much gravity the Centrifuge will be able to simulate, but calculations using SpinCalc and SpaceCalc provided some estimates. According to these apps, the Centrifuge would need to achieve 9.2 rotations per minute to simulate Martian gravity, which is about 38% of Earth's. It is possible to spin the Centrifuge down to 6 rotations per minute to simulate Lunar gravity, which is about 16.5% of Earth's.
The simulated gravity environment in the Centrifuge is especially useful during missions to Mars. It helps mitigate the physiological effects of microgravity while acclimating the crew to what they will experience on the surface. More information is expected soon, including radiation shielding, materials, and weight estimates.
Applications of the Airbus LOOP
The LOOP can be integrated into the Lunar Gateway or act as the habitation module of the proposed Deep Space Transport (DST). Multiple LOOP modules can be combined to create a full-on space station, each outfitted with various decks to accommodate a range of operations and experiments. The LOOP could occupy a role similar to what NASA had in mind with his proposed Non-Atmospheric Universal Transport Intended for Lengthy United States Exploration (Nautilus-X) concept.
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