DLR - envihab - Field of Research

The new research facility will consist of 5 modules which are coupleable and lockable. All of the divisions will be linked with each other via the medical core area.

Modules in :envihab

:enviMeet

:enviMeet is the area which will be accessible for the public. The visitors will be informed about the goals, projects and studies of :envihab as well as the functional elements in order to get an authentic impression of vibrant science.

:enviBio

The module :enviBio („envihab – Biology“) provides a laboratory environment for microbiological research. The basic configuration and the steric features of the module support research up to safety class S2 (GenTSV) and under cleanroom conditions class 8.

:enviSim

„:envihab – Simulation“ (:envisim) is a worldwide unique experimental station where it will be possible to simulate environmental conditions precisely. Thus, typical characteristics of diverse surroundings (cabin, space station, field hospital, etc.) will be generated realistically. On the one hand, analyses under uncommon and extreme conditions will be feasible, on the other hand, analyses on the human behaviour in defined and familiar environments will be far more economic, e.g. due to the abdication of flight tests. In addition, it will also be possible to modify single parameters of the surrounding explicitly so that the effect of a single factor as well as the interactions of multiple factors can be analysed regarding the impact on the human being.

:enviRec

The main focus of :enviRec (“:envihab – Recreation”) is the exploration of diverse approaches of compensating the deprivation of impulses. Therefore a presentation of authentic environmental effects will be created as a way for recovery for crew members. In touch with long-term studies of the :enviSim module and interdisciplinary research, the effects on crew members, team work and the supervision of the system as a whole will be quantified.

:enviFit

:enviFit („:envihab – Fitness“) is an experimental station that is organized in different modules, and in which physiological alterations such as immobilisation and microgravity can be simulated. One way to do this is by 6° head-down-tilt bed-rest studies. Another method is the appliacation of dry water immersion which means that the test persons float on a water-impermeable canvas cover and thus becomes ‘weightless’.