Circular Talk with Sebastian Aristotelis, Lead Architect SAGA Space Architects
«Recycling capability is even more important on the moon than on earth.»
Sebastian Aristotelis, the co-founder and lead architect of the Danish company SAGA Space Architects, has dedicated himself to the mission of building space habitats - living and working areas for astronauts. In Circular Talk, the Dane explains what role CLIMATEX fabrics play in this and why circularity is so important on the moon.
CLIMATEX: Where is your latest project "FLEXHab" currently located and how is it being used?
Sebastian Aristotelis: Our habitat was installed at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne a few days ago. It will be used as a realistic training environment for astronauts preparing for lunar missions. Our "FLEXHab" will remain there for the next 10 to 20 years as it continues to be the most realistic lunar training habitat in Europe, preparing future generations of astronauts.
How can we imagine this training in concrete terms?
The habitat is directly connected to the world's largest lunar simulation hall, where astronauts train daily in a dusty, lunar-like environment. They spend seven consecutive days without sunlight or fresh air to experience realistic mission conditions.
Is "FLEXHab" also designed for the moon?
There are currently no habitats on the Moon. For the time being, "FLEXHab" will serve as a training centre on Earth to prepare astronauts for upcoming missions. In the future, similar concepts could be implemented on the Moon.
«The materials that astronauts interact with every day must be of the highest quality and sustainability. CLIMATEX offers exactly that: durable, aesthetically pleasing and recyclable textiles.»
Sebastian Aristoteles, Co-Founder & Lead Architect of SAGA
With his visions for innovative space habitats, the Dane has made it onto the "Forbes 30 under 30" list.
Why are CLIMATEX fabrics so important to the project?
For the past six years, we have been preparing to develop future human habitats on the Moon. Our mission is to build sustainable habitats for astronauts. A crucial factor is the interior design, as these spaces are extremely small and the materials that astronauts interact with on a daily basis must be of the highest quality and sustainability. CLIMATEX offers exactly that: durable, aesthetically pleasing and recyclable textiles.
Why are textiles a decisive factor in space habitats?
Textiles are crucial for the comfort and functionality of the interior. They are used on walls, seats and other points of contact. Due to the closed air system in which air is recycled, the materials must not emit any or very few pollutants in order to prevent the accumulation of toxic particles in the air we breathe. This is a challenge that makes the choice of materials - not only in the textile sector - particularly important.
“Recyclability must be ensured, as resources on the Moon are extremely limited, making it essential to reuse materials.”
Are these the special requirements you have for the properties of the materials for use in space?
Exactly. Durability, because textiles have to withstand extreme conditions and heavy use in the habitat. Our aesthetic requirements for the variety of colors and textures of the textiles are based on the cognitive stimulation of the astronauts that we want to support. And recyclability must be a given, because resources on the moon are very limited and it is therefore essential to be able to reuse materials.
Are all of the materials used in your habitat recyclable?
Not all, but many. For example, we use recycled polypropylene with wood fibre for the ceilings, cork without binders that can be fully recycled, and a 3D-printed facade that can be recycled once the coating is removed.
The "FLEXHab" habitat is now located in Cologne, directly connected to the astronauts' training hall.
There are currently no habitats on the Moon, so there are no recycling opportunities. Why is this important?
At some point in the future, we will link several habitats together to form a kind of village. It will be cheaper to put a recycling plant on the Moon than to send materials back to Earth and then up again.
Where on Earth are your habitats, if not on the moon?
In Greenland, underwater and even in Switzerland near St.Gallen. Each of these projects is designed to explore different extremes and challenges in order to simulate space missions more realistically.
saga.dk
Textiles play a very important role in the entire interior of the "FLEXHab".