Extreme Expeditionary Architecture (EXP–Arch): Mobile, Adaptable Systems for Space and Earth Exploration - NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts.

The project developed an adaptable and mobile architecture capable of meeting a variety of space and earth missions. Earth exploration has demonstrated that mobility is fundamental to great discoveries. The EXP–Arch architecture proposes self-mobilizing, transformable systems combining robotics, inflatable, and foldable lightweight structures, intelligent materials, and highly autonomous systems to revolutionize human and machine exploration. EXP–Arch is an adaptive exploration architecture for extreme environments (space and earth inaccessible locations) utilizing multi-functional, inflatable, and transforming system components. EXP–Arch attempts to better understand human-robotic synergies during exploration, and offers a radical departure from conventional, evolutionary space systems mission planning. NASA’s current mission architecture outlined in the Exploration Systems Architecture Study (ESAS) recommends an “incremental build” approach and “incrementally accumulating components”. In contrast, EXP–Arch provides an alternative, more creative approach, specifically, an adaptive exploration architecture for extreme environments by embracing multi-functional modular, inflatable, and transforming system capabilities to foster self-sustaining human and robotic presence throughout the solar system. The EXP–Arch concept directly ties into long-term goals established by NASA’s Exploration Systems Mission Directorate. Specifically, the ‘Earth, Moon, Mars and Beyond’ vision might truly be realized through creative, novel architectures that turn mission planning inside-out.

Credits: Mitchell Joachim, Trotti + Associates: Guillermo Trotti, Dava Newman, MIT