NASA's Deep Space Habitat

A space habitat prototype docked with a Space Exploration Vehicle. Photo credit: NASA

The Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) Habitation Systems project charter is to define and mature a Deep Space Habitat element that will enable human exploration to multiple destinations; to focus and infuse Hab-related exploration technologies; and to transition Hab-related AES products into concept demonstrators for integrated systems and mission testing using rapid prototype strategies.

The Habitat Demonstration Unit prototype during 2010 field testing, with a Pressurized Excursion Module. A Space Exploration Vehicle (SEV) can be seen in the background. Photo credit: NASA

The Habitation Systems Project is a unique project from a multi-center team of NASA architects, scientists and engineers, working together to develop sustainable living quarters, workspaces, and laboratories for next-generation space missions.

The knowledge gained from low-Earth orbit projects, such as the International Space Station, and Earth-based analog research from the Desert Research and Technologies Studies (Desert RATS) field test is being used in this project to find out what is required to expand human presence to more formidable environments, like an asteroid, Lagrange points, the moon or Mars.