World’s Tallest 3D-Printed Structure Simulates Living in Space

What would it take to live well in space? It’s not a new question, but one that kids are tackling in a new way at Institut auf dem Rosenberg, a boarding school for 6- to 18-year-olds in Switzerland. The Rosenberg Space Habitat, created together with SAGA Space Architects, is an experimental lab where students will explore what it will take to live beyond the Earth’s atmosphere without leaving the ground.

The habitat is the world’s tallest 3D-printed polymer structure at 23 feet high, designed to fit inside a SpaceX Starship rocket. Built from sustainable materials, the three-story building can accommodate two crew members as they do research, relax and sleep. The habitat allows for hands-on learning about sustaining good mental and physical health in space, as well as hardware and software for monitoring the environment and conducting remote missions. In partnership with robotics firm Boston Dynamics, the habitat also features a robot dog that can take itself on automated walks to collect data.

According to Bernhard Gademann, director of Institut auf dem Rosenberg, “Our aim is to provide future leaders with early exposure to the question of advanced space exploration, allowing our students to approach and solve these complex questions from a collaborative and holistic point of view.”

“This is just the beginning of the habitat, and now the research and education begin,” said SAGA Space Architects founder Sebastian Frederiksen. “Hopefully, we are going to learn a lot about living on the moon.”

Source: Institut auf dem Rosenberg