Common Characteristics of Terrestrial and Space Construction

Abstract

The building of stationary facilities in space and on the lunar surface will bring humankind to the verge of a new era in its exploration of space. Many new and unprecedented construction problems have to be solved. Terrestrial construction technology, developed over centuries, had to overcome similar earthbound extremes. Viable examples include underwater construction and building on the frozen terrain of north and south poles. Many specialized techniques and kinds of equipment have emerged to meet those extreme conditions. This body of knowledge and technology may become a valuable resource for the design and construction of buildings in space. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate why experts from space technology and construction engineering should combine their specialized knowledge to benefit human advances into space.