The mock-up of Lunar I-Hab is a full-scale replica of the ESA habitation module on the lunar Gateway. Engineers will use the mock-up to finetune the design of the module’s interior, ensuring future astronauts can make their way around effectively and safely.
Astronauts with real-life experience on the International Space Station will be part of the process. During a testing phase known as the “human in the loop” campaign, they will go inside the mock-up to give feedback on the interior’s design, from mitigating possible safety hazards to simply ensuring they can reach everything.
Lunar I-Hab’s mock-up initially has a low-fidelity level, meaning the inside of the cabin is outfitted with placeholders of equipment that match the shape of the contents but do not function like them. As the testing campaign progresses, the mock-up will be outfitted with higher fidelity configurations. Engineers will refine the design of Lunar I-Hab until the critical design review, where the module’s design will be finalised with all international partners contributing to the Gateway.
Lunar I-Hab is one of ESA’s key contributions to the Gateway, the first international space station around the Moon that will support the most distant human space missions ever attempted as part of NASA’s Artemis programme.