Since 2000, astronauts have been living and working aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The ISS was designed for a 15-year lifetime, which it has now well exceeded and deorbit is currently envisaged towards the end of this decade.
Coupling an extensive experience in human spaceflight with the ingenuity and innovative spirit of its teams, Airbus is ready to take the next step towards the Space Station of the future: With the Airbus LOOP, a multi-purpose orbital module.
Designed for Long-Term Space Missions
The Airbus LOOP 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 Multi-Purpose Orbital Module
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.
Unprecedented Space in Space
A diameter of eight meters (or roughly 26 feet) and roughly the same length enable an unprecedented volume, giving crews on board ample space. Its rigid outer shell offers maximum protection against any external influences.
Launch in One Piece
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.
Three Decks on Three Levels
The Airbus LOOP 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.
Comfortable Crew
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.
A Greenhouse in Space
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 harbour’ concept.
Airbus LOOP design concept visualisation by Liquifer Systems Group GmbH, Austria
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.
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 programmes such as the ISS Columbus Module, theAutomated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) and the Orion European Service Module (ESM).
Airbus is engaging with partners around the Globe to actively shape the future of Human Spaceflight.
Download Airbus LOOP brochure
202304 AirbusLOOP Brochure
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