LOOP Space Station Introduced by Airbus
Airbus is ready to take the next step towards the future of long-term space habitation with the LOOP space station, a multi-purpose orbital module.
The Airbus LOOP space station is designed to make long-term stays in space comfortable and enjoyable for its inhabitants, while supporting efficient and sustainable operations at the same time. It builds on everything that has been learnt over the decades and fully exploits the potential of tomorrow’s technologies in order to best support humanity’s future in space: In Low-Earth or Lunar Orbit, or on long-term missions to Mars.
A modular approach enables Airbus LOOP customers to adapt the deck selection to their individual mission requirements and objectives. Operators may choose to replace any or all of the three decks with individually designed options in line with their respective mission objectives. They may also resort to a ‘dry’ module or deck, i.e. purely the mechanical structure with no outfitting, and equip it with their own infrastructure elements. Combining several Airbus LOOP Modules into a larger station with a variety of decks, or coupling several of the same type is also an option.
Airbus LOOP Space Station will Support a Variety of Missions
This novel orbital module - or any element of it - can become part of any post-ISS and other future infrastructure, be they commercial or institutional in nature. The Airbus LOOP is designed to fit with the upcoming generation of super-heavy launchers that can launch an entire module in one piece. Thus, the Airbus LOOP is immediately operational once in orbit, ready to host humans and payloads.
The Airbus LOOP space station consists of three levels. In its original design, these are a Habitation Deck, a Science Deck and a Centrifuge that can create gravity conditions for the inhabitants, reducing the stress of weightlessness on the human body.
The Airbus LOOP is designed for a four-person crew, however, could temporarily accommodate up to eight astronauts at a time. It is compatible with all of today’s and tomorrow’s crew and cargo vehicles. The decks are connected via the so-called ‘Tunnel’ at the center, which is surrounded by a greenhouse structure at the center of the modules. The separation into different decks allows for an internal ‘safe harbor’ concept.
Under the Airbus LOOP umbrella, Airbus also offers a variety of services and products that support Human Spaceflight Missions, ranging from consulting service to individual payloads:
Consulting services for the design and engineering of In-Space and Space Transportation Infrastructure as well as Operations
Thermal Control Solutions
Power Generation and Management Systems
Environmental Control and Life Support Systems
Outfitting Elements (e.g. Glovebox, Rack, Cooler/Freezer,…)
Payload Design, Integration and Hosting Services
For all of this, Airbus can build on its substantial heritage from major human spaceflight programs such as the ISS Columbus Module, the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) and the Orion European Service Module (ESM).
(Source: Airbus. Images provided)