DLR - envihab - Field of Research

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A one-story, 3500-square-metre, state-of-the-art space, :envihab (from the words ‘Environment’ and ‘Habitat’) will be used to explore the effects of extreme environmental conditions on humans and to determine possible countermeasures. Eight separate modules, built according to a ‘house within a house’ design, include a short-arm human centrifuge to, for instance, conduct cardiovascular, bone and muscle research, laboratories for studying the effects of oxygen reduction and pressure decrease on test subjects, MRI/PET analysis facilities, rooms for psychological stress simulations and rehabilitations, microbiological and molecular biological research tools, as well as places to house and monitor test subjects. At :envihab, the Institute will conduct supertargeted research in space and flight physiology, radiation biology, space psychology, operational medicine, biomedical research and analogous terrestrial situations.

Modules in :envihab

M1: Short Arm Centrifuge I

One of :envihab’s most essential and unique features is its ability to combine different research modules within one facility. Among our special features is the new Short-Arm Centrifuge. This centrifuge boasts advanced functional possibilities for hypergravity studies, enabling :envihab scientists to test for medical risks incurred in a weightless environment.

M2: Physiology Lab I / Baro Lab I

In envihab’s Physiology Lab scientists concentrate on two main areas: spaceflight and aviation. Their research is focused on health and performance maintenance.

M3: Living and Simulation Area I

The Living and Simulation Area is a complex testing station that includes 12 individual rooms for study participants. Here, research on various aspects of human physiology including sleep, circadian rhythms, bone and muscle physiology can be conducted under highly controlled conditions.

M4: MRI-PET

MRI-PET (Magnetic resonance imaging/Positrone emission tomography) Space travel causes a plethora of medical and neurobehavioural problems, including the loss of as much as 25 percent of muscle mass, a loss of bone mass of between 1 and 2 percent per month, weakening of the immune system, impairments of cognitive performance, and other effects related to the highly stressful environment of a space vehicle. In M4, :envihab scientists will be able to monitor the physiological changes that could occur during long-term missions.

M5: Psychology Lab

Travel to the Red Planet and back would take about a year and a half. Living on the Moon or Mars would involve extended stays under space conditions. In addition to questions of physical health, being in space poses entirely new sets of issues regarding the psychological effects of living in space on travellers.

M6: Biology Lab

The module M6 Biology lab provides a laboratory environment for microbiological research and an area for medical infrastructure. Topics under investigation will include the analyses of microbial bioburden and biodiversity and the influence humans have on this diversity, as well as aspects of bioregenerative life support systems. Part of the preparation and evaluation of biological space experiments will be performed here.

M7/M8: Infrastructure and Forum

:envihab will demonstrate a unique concept of displaying science to the public in an authentic environment. The exhibition and conference areas of this one-of-a-kind facility will demonstrate the direct impact of space research and technology development for the quality of life on Earth.