Tag Archives: Space exploration

What would daily objects look like in outer space? This Designer reimagines a torch, speaker, and bottle

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All of us have come across the various ideas floating around discussing traveling to Mars as a leisure activity. With space tourism becoming an upcoming concept, and humanity inching closer to the era of routine space travel and living, the need for products that adapt to zero-gravity environments becomes increasingly apparent. With such newer establishments, come the relevant new industries such as everyday space objects since the traditional objects developed for Earth’s gravity might pose challenges when used in the unique conditions of space. Addressing this concern, a groundbreaking collection of multi-functional products designed specifically for zero-gravity space living, including within spacecraft where gravity is absent.

Designers: Subin Kim, Jagyeong Baek, and Jaeyeon Lee

In zero-gravity environments, the absence of a defined up or down poses a challenge to conventional products that are designed to function on a single surface. Cups, flashlights, and speakers, for instance, may not be as convenient when their functionality is limited to one side. The innovative Spatio collection addresses these challenges by introducing products with multi-functional capabilities that enhance usability in zero-gravity environments.

Lumina – Flashlight:

The flashlight that’s changing the game in space! Unlike regular flashlights that only shine in one direction, Lumina beams light in five ways. You can easily change where the light goes by turning the central wheel, making it perfect for lighting up different spots. Plus, Lumina has a smart design with a back-mounted battery, so it can shine its light anywhere in the vastness of space.

Sonus – Speaker:

The omnidirectional speaker looks like a moon and transforms your zero-gravity audio experience! Just press the top, and the speaker pops up, getting louder as more parts come out. It’s got a handy Type-C charging port and a hole to attach a rope, making it super convenient to handle even when things keep flying around. Sonus keeps the music playing even in zero gravity and is the perfect buddy for life in space.

Aqua – Water Bottle:

Thirsty in space? Aqua’s got you covered! This water bottle is a zero-gravity hydration hero. With a handle sticking out in four directions, you can grab a sip from any angle. The top is easy to twist on and off, sealing tight, and the sucking mechanism makes drinking a breeze. Taking inspiration from space food packaging, Aqua not only looks cool but is a must-have for space travelers who want to stay refreshed and hydrated.

The packaging of this line further exemplifies its commitment to innovation. Drawing inspiration from conventional space food packaging methods, the packaging is designed to complement the space-friendly functionality of the product, ensuring that every aspect of the Spatio collection aligns with the needs of zero-gravity living.

Spatio’s visionary collection of multi-functional products challenges the traditional norms of product design, catering specifically to the demands of zero-gravity space living. As we step into the future of space exploration and potential colonization, the Spatio range serves as a testament to human ingenuity, providing not only convenience but also a glimpse into the adaptability required for life beyond Earth’s gravitational pull.

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This head-turning speaker is a piece of tech art that pays tribute to space exploration

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The popularity of wireless speakers has made them a staple in many homes, and that, in turn, has shaped the way these products are being designed. To match many interior motifs, the majority of wireless speakers take on more minimalist and low-key aesthetics that make them blend with their surroundings. Unfortunately, that has also made many of these everyday items less memorable and distinctive, as if they’ve been stripped of any sense of identity. That’s an almost ironic situation for a device that is supposed to inject life and vibrancy into living spaces. Daring to go against the tides, this one-of-a-kind speaker is designed to make its presence not only heard but also seen, taking inspiration from mankind’s own daring ambitions to break free of the Earth’s gravity and reach for the stars.

Designer: Ken Chen

Click Here to Buy Now: $619 $1089 ($470 off). Hurry, Flash Sale ends soon!

If you look at most wireless speakers today, they most often come wrapped in very minimalist designs and shapes. Some, such as those coming from luxury brands, do exude a sense of luxury through their materials, but the majority of these audio accessories might come off as almost bland and too identical to each other. While there’s definitely nothing wrong with minimalism, there seems to be a misconception that it’s the be-all and end-all of design, which couldn’t be farther from the truth. The Nebula tech art speaker is a glowing example of that, bringing character to the speaker in order to bring your music to life in ways you will never forget.

Inspired by NASA.

Right off the bat, the Nebula speaker looks like no ordinary speaker. Its transparent, cubiform shell and circular windows are almost similar to the bulky helmets used in the earliest ages of deep sea diving or, for a more contemporary image, astronaut helmets. This isn’t by accident, because the Nebula, as its name might suggest, is heavily inspired by the pioneering spirit of mankind’s space programs, like the Apollo missions, the Hubble Telescope, or the more recent Mars landings. Even the specific hue of orange used, namely “International Orange,” was chosen for its connection to space agencies and their use in the spacesuits of old.

Beyond its already uncommon shape, the Nebula wireless speaker boasts a unique feature that truly makes the device feel “space-age.” Instead of a typical digital visualizer, it uses a special Ferrofluid substance that dances to the beat of the music using the electromagnetic field naturally generated by the speaker. This SoundForm technology transforms the Nebula from a powerful speaker into a stunning audiovisual experience that will make you the life of the party and the talk of the town.

The Nebula isn’t just about looks either. Four high-fidelity speakers grouped into two separate chambers, each with its own passive radiator, creates thunderous beats, impressive volume, and palpable vibrations that kick the party’s music up a notch. And if one isn’t enough, you can pair two Nebula speakers wirelessly to create a truly wireless stereo (TWS) experience. Despite all that power, the speaker is super-easy to use with a touch-based control panel on top and support for Bluetooth audio sources, including both iOS and Android devices. Want to really be bold and daring? Simply unscrew the clear detachable JoyShell and flaunt the speakers’ inner beauty for all to see.

Wireless speakers might be very common these days, but that doesn’t mean their designs need to be as well. Taking a page from history’s most daring adventures, the Nebula Tech Art speaker not only delivers excellent audio quality but also creates a striking and memorable visual experience, both through its design as well as its SoundForm ferrofluid visualization. Escape the gravity of monotony with this exciting tech art speaker and bring back the sense of adventure to your life.

Click Here to Buy Now: $619 $1089 ($470 off). Hurry, Flash Sale ends soon!

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Retro NASA Space Tourism Posters made from LEGO Bricks are a Space Nerd Must-Have

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In 2016, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at NASA debuted a series of absolutely gorgeous 80s-inspired posters promoting ‘space tourism’. Designed as collectibles that space nerds and enthusiasts could just admire and print on their own, the file formats were (and still are) available on NASA’s website, with the title “Visions of the Future”. LEGO Master Builder John Carter decided to build a few posters of his own… using LEGO bricks. “There are so many iconic tropes in the science fiction mythology… I’ve decided to depict three of them in a style of classic posters and book covers from the 80s. The idea was to keep the same visual style with different colors for each tale and to present the scenes in minimalistic fashion,” he said.

The display set comprises three pieces that tell a cohesive story and provide ample room for customization. Each image is self-contained, allowing you to showcase your preferred one individually. Alternatively, you can exhibit all three together, creating a stunning arrangement that looks fantastic on both walls and bookshelves.

The three posters depict specific scenes of space exploration. The first envisions lift-off, looking at a rocket making its way for the sky, the second, shows the terrain of a planet with two lunar satellites, a rocky terrain, and a tiny rover exploring the surface, while the third captures the grandeur of a meteor shower with observation stations pointing at the falling comets.

This collection comprises three identical-sized images measuring 10.4 cm x 14.7 cm, constructed in a uniform manner. The lower portion of each picture showcases the surface and atmosphere of a celestial entity, while the upper section depicts the sky above it.

At the rear of every image, there is a framework of Technic lift arms that links the topmost layers with the bottom ones, guaranteeing that the model remains intact in all situations, even if it falls from a considerable height.

“I believe the set would make a lovely addition to any space geek’s collection (be it LEGO, SF books, or movies collection ) and fits well into the existing LEGO portfolio at the intersection of art and space themes,” Carter suggests.

The “Tales Of The Space Age” series was unanimously selected by the LEGO community to be turned into a retail box set, which is now available on the LEGO website.

The post Retro NASA Space Tourism Posters made from LEGO Bricks are a Space Nerd Must-Have first appeared on Yanko Design.

This modular origami tent built by space architects for the moon unfolds into 750 times it size!

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Studying space exploration is a side hobby of mine so this extreme-weather resistant origami moon habitat is one of my dream homes. SAGA is a Danish architecture studio that designed LUNARK which is a modular shelter that expands and becomes 750 times its original size! It was crucial to design a structure that would be easily transportable (to the moon!), have a zero-waste ecosystem, and could withstand arctic temperatures and meteor showers – LUNARK does it all, in fact, it was taken out on a test run in Greeland by the architects themselves!

SAGA has one mission – make outer space a little cozier for future human inhabitants. The LUNARK habitat shows what can happen when the architect steps back and allows the extreme environment on the Moon and the high arctic to mold a habitat around human beings. LUNARK’s form was inspired by the patterns seen in a budding leaf as it unfolds and origami. It unfolds from a tight bud to a large ovoid shape with a rigid carbon fiber shell. Its exterior is tough as a tank while its interior is a cozy home with a sense of Nordic “hygge”.

lunark3

The main exterior of the habitat is made from a black glossy carbon fiber shell. The carbon-fiber structure’s sandwiched panels with a foam core for extra insulation. Carbon fiber is ideal because it’s lightweight – which is crucial for transport and unfolding – yet strong. The panels are connected by a white foldable composite rubber and the main load-bearing structure is an aluminum frame.

Starting from the size of a small car, the carbon fiber shell can unfold to 750 times its size. Inside, solar-powered circadian panels mimic the light cycles on Earth, aiming to improve astronauts’ sleep patterns and general well-being. It is designed to counteract monotony, claustrophobia, and psychological stress.

lunark1

With an inner volume of 17.2 sqm, LUNARK is designed to shelter two people at once. It is powered by a 1000 Ah solar-powered battery. It aspires to be a zero-waste shelter, leaving as little impact as possible on the environment. Inside the unfolding pod, there is space for a 3D printer (for printing spare parts if needed), stowage for batteries and water, and a living algae farm. LUNARK also has a series of in-built digital software systems, including a weather simulator to help break up the day-to-day monotony, and an algae reactor, to nurture and monitor a source of nutrition.

The main principle behind LUNARK is its expanding volume, as the structure expands 750% after transport while testing it was a great success as it was easy to unfold and strong enough to withstand the extreme environment. “The habitat worked beyond all expectations. The unfolding was possible by just two people and no heavy machinery – and in the extreme cold of the arctic. Furthermore, the interior design and spatial organization worked well. We are not trained professional astronauts, our tolerance is much lower. So we needed a much more pleasant living environment. We wanted to create a home, not a survival machine – and the habitat really ended up feeling like home,” adds Aristotelis.

Earlier in 2020, SAGA developed a prototype for LUNARK using the principles of Japanese origami folding with biomimicry. The two architects, Sebastian Aristotelis and Karl-Johan Sørensen, then went on a two-month mission to experience extreme isolation in northern Greenland where they tested LUNARK and its technologies themselves for future moon missions while enduring -30°c, hurricane winds, and hungry polar bears!

lunark2

In the two months spent in extreme isolation in Greenland, SAGA collected data about the performance of the unfolding origami structure and the circadian light panels that form the artificial sky inside the habitat. The duo also collected data about their psychological wellbeing, the impact of isolation, and how to deal with conflicts under extreme conditions which will help them make LUNARK even better for real missions.

“We wanted to make the most realistic simulation mission. If we as architects want to test the effect of architectural countermeasures in space we also need to simulate a realistic amount of stress on the participants (in our case ourselves). The cold arctic was the best bet for that. At the same time, the arctic has the most similar lighting conditions to the moon. It’s far away, remote and isolated so the experiment conditions forced our design to be easy to deploy,” said Aristotelis.

Having lived for months in conditions that resemble those in outer space, the two young architects collected a significant amount of data which they will analyze with a focus on human well-being and psychology. “The future looks great, our design worked better than expected which puts us on a solid trajectory to build in outer space,” Aristotelis concludes. SAGA is not only focused on making brilliant space architecture but is also putting the mental health of the astronauts at the core of their design which makes them stand out among all others on our planet!

Designer: SAGA Space Architects

lunark

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Clear Resin Moon and Mars Keycaps: The Eagle Has Landed (on Your Desktop)

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To celebrate some of humanity’s greatest achievements in space exploration (and sell some cool keycaps in the process), these are Moon Keys. Compatible with Cherry MX switches and clones, the keycaps are available in five varieties: a 1u Eagle Has Landed, Lunar Lander, and Curiosity Rover ($49), and 1.75u Eagle Has Landed ($52), and 2.25u Curiosity Rover ($58). You know, I was just thinking my keyboard could use more of a space theme.

Which is your favorite? I think I’m going to get all the moon ones. And all the Mars ones. That’s $258 in keycaps for those of you keeping track, instantly making it the most expensive component of my computer. Also the best looking.

The keys are available for pre-order now with an estimated shipping date of November 12th, or just in time to show up in the mail, and for me to have completely forgotten I ordered them in the first place. Like a time-traveling surprise gift to myself.

Toyota’s Lunar Lander design for JAXA shares the Land Cruiser’s motto of coming back alive!

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While most automakers are designing electric vehicles for the Earth, Toyota is taking it to the next level by designing vehicles for lunar exploration missions! The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA – basically the Japanese Nasa) and Toyota have been working together to develop a manned, pressurized vehicle for exploring the moon using the power of next-generation hydrogen fuel cells. The lunar vehicle is called ‘Lunar Cruiser’ after Toyota’s famously rugged Land Cruiser and it fits perfectly because the Land Cruiser’s motto is ‘come back alive’ which I am sure will be the motto for the Lunar Cruiser as well!

The vehicle is 20 feet tall and 17 feet wide, it is considered to be the first step in the vision of a future lunar surface-based society as JAXA will use the Lunar Cruiser to explore the moon’s north and south poles. The longest time an astronaut has stayed on the moon has been close to 3 days, but this vehicle is crafted for a 6 week-long manned mission which will be a record in itself. To sustain astronauts and the exploration for six weeks, the Lunar Cruiser will be fitted with solar panels as well as hydrogen fuel cells. Since days and nights on the moon last for two weeks each, the solar panels will generate electricity. Given the long nights, the hydrogen fuel cell can also use water from the electricity generation process for cooling and drinking purposes. The energy generated from the solar panels will be stored and the propulsion will come primarily from hydrogen fuel cells – it is geared to run for 620 miles with one full tank and the mission aims to complete 6,200 miles in 42 days.

Lunar Cruiser is roughly the size of two minibusses and has a 140 square feet living space for two astronauts. It has to be designed to traverse the moon’s harsh surface and be safe enough for the astronauts to remove their suits inside. Since development began in 2019, engineers have relied on simulations to work out powertrain heat management in an airless environment and test tire designs for the coarse, sharp,  dusty moon surface. And like a Tesla, it will have automatic driving functions! Testing of the prototype rover’s sub-assemblies is planned to begin next spring and will lead to the construction of a full-scale mule in 2022. So by 2024, we can hope to see a model designed, built, and evaluated for the development team to build the flight model—the one that’ll actually shoot for the stars…and land on the moon.

Designer: Toyota

NASA + BIG are working on a sustainable 3D printed moon habitat using moon dust to reduce waste!

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While Mars missions are getting all the media and sci-fi attention, a trusty celestial friend is making a comeback as an option for hosting human colonies outside Earth – it is our moon! Bjarke Ingle’s BIG and 3D-printed building company ICON are working on Project Olympus – a mission to develop robotic construction for the moon.

Bjarke Ingles is the Elon Musk of the architectural world, he loves to explore the impossible and has a penchant for designs that can help save mankind right from his environmentally friendly buildings to Project Olympus. Project Olympus is about finding a way to create a 3D-printed infrastructure for living on the moon using materials found on its surface. Why do we need a habitat on the moon? So that we can launch sustained lunar exploration missions where the astronauts will be able to stay comfortably and carry out their research for extended time periods. The project has also enlisted SEArch+ (Space Exploration Architecture) after it received a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) government contract boosted with funding from NASA.

“With ICON we are pioneering new frontiers – both materially, technologically and environmentally. To explain the power of architecture, ‘formgiving’ is the Danish word for design, which literally means to give form to that which has not yet been given form. This becomes fundamentally clear when we venture beyond Earth and begin to imagine how we are going to build and live on entirely new worlds,” said Bjarke Ingels, founder of BIG.

Making a habitat base on the moon is no ordinary construction project. There are many factors at play – it is an inhospitable environment with only a fifth of Earth’s gravity and none of its atmosphere, plus it will have to be created almost entirely from locally available materials i.e. moon dust which will be sustainable and reduce waste! Working with NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, the team will use a simulant of moon soil to experiment with 3D-printable construction.

“3D printing with indigenous materials is a sustainable and versatile solution to off-world construction that will prove to be vital to our future here on Earth and in Outer Space. The habitat will be designed with the inherent redundancy required for extraterrestrial buildings, while also using groundbreaking robotic construction that uses only in-site resources with zero-waste left behind,” SEArch+ added. A by-product of all the developmental research and experiments being conducted for Project Olympus is that it will also reveal new ways to build more sustainably on Earth while reducing the construction industry’s carbon footprint.

BIG is a perfect fit for this project as they have previously designed a simulation of Mars called Mars Science City in Dubai. ICON too was a finalist in NASA’s 3D printed habitat challenge with many innovative projects under its belt and SEArch+ is an architecture firm that has worked with NASA for a long time on human-centered designs for space exploration making this a complete dream team. *Plays Frank Sinatra’s Fly Me to the Moon*

Designers: BIG, ICON, and SEArch+

Watch a ‘transforming’ drone blast out of a cannon

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Researchers launched a drone from a pneumatic baseball pitching machine strapped to a truck traveling 50 miles per hour. They hope this ballistic launch method might lead to drones that are better suited for emergency response and space exploration m...