Autonomous Architecture: Summit Station in Greenland Design Proposal as a Test-Bed for Future Planetary Exploration

This paper reports results of collaboration between the Sasakawa International Center for Space Architecture (SICSA), Houston, USA and the Applied Computing and Mechanics Laboratory (IMAC), Lausanne, Switzerland. Research at IMAC involves the study of intelligent cable-strut structures that are adaptable and self-repairing in an autonomous regime. An architectural and engineering development approach and conceptual proposals for the Summit Station in Greenland for science research and operational support is proposed. The purpose of the project is to:

• ▪ Introduce the theory, requirements and design concepts for autonomously adjustable architectural elements of the structures and systems in extreme and special environments, including outer space and terrestrial architecture;
• ▪ Attain understanding of these structures and systems through design, research, and analysis of specific projects;
• ▪ Identify design solutions for the Greenland Summit Station to be applicable to other extreme environments such as those on the Moon or Mars (a test-bed capability);
• ▪ Perform a modularity study for future station expansion in Greenland as well as extensions for creating settlements on the Moon, Mars and beyond.

The project is undertaken as a response to the GEOSummit and Facilities Planning Meeting, which took place in January 2004. During this meeting a growing interest in polar research was observed and the necessity for a new station at Summit with better research and accommodation conditions was recognized.⁽¹⁾ This station is also proposed to be a place for NASA and related research for space missions.