We continue our series of conversations with the winners of the international workshop ‘Space Auditor: Checking in Orbit’. Today, the team from the Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI), represented by students from Malaysia, shares their impressions. The guys took the third place, sharing the podium with their colleagues from MIIGAiK. Their project of a crew cabin with protection from extreme space conditions was distinguished by multilayer screen-vacuum insulation, strategic location of equipment on the outer shell of the module and layers of compressed polyethylene to absorb vibrations. Alia Siakhirah Binti Ahmad Murad, team captain of the Alia Siakhirah Binti team, told us how these solutions were born.
- Your project focuses on defence against the extreme conditions of space. Which threats do you consider the most critical and how did you neutralise them?
- The main threat is radiation. During long flights, its effects accumulate, and the consequences for the crew's health are not immediately apparent. Traditional shielding methods are difficult to apply due to weight limitations: you cannot simply launch tonnes of protective materials into orbit. We have proposed three layers of protection. Firstly, a multi-layer shielding-vacuum insulation to disperse particles. Secondly, the equipment was placed along the outer shell of the module - this is an additional barrier. Thirdly, the inner walls of the cabin were covered with compressed polyethylene: it dampens vibrations and partially blocks radiation.
- Why did you choose multi-layer shielded-vacuum insulation?
- This technology is usually used for thermal protection, but we have adapted it for radiation. The alternating layers of reflective materials and vacuum layers solve several problems at once:
Of course, it is not a complete defence, but in combination with other solutions it becomes part of the safety system.
- How was it working in an international team? Were there any disagreements?
- There were difficulties, of course. We study in different fields: aerospace engineering, control systems development.... But this is a plus! For example, as a control specialist, I proposed solutions for the layout of devices, while my fellow engineers assessed their feasibility. We argued, but it helped us to look at the problem from different angles. If everyone thought in the same way, the project would have been less well thought out.
- What lectures or workshop experts helped in finalising the project?
- The MAI lecturers, especially the experts on rocket systems, played a huge role. Their lectures on the subtleties of design and examples from real missions inspired us to experiment with materials. And the workshop mentors gave us tips on how to combine creativity with technical requirements.
- Do you plan to continue your research in space architecture?
- Definitely! My dream is to go deeper into this field. I want people to be able to live in space or on other planets, and this requires not just technology, but a comfortable and safe environment. I hope my future projects will bring us closer to colonising Mars.
- What advice do you have for future workshop participants?
- Focus on crew safety from the beginning. For example, radiation is an unobvious but critical threat. Combine creativity with realism: even the boldest idea should be backed up by calculations. And don't be afraid of team disputes - they give birth to strong solutions.
- What skills from the workshop will you use in the future?
- We have learnt how to design turnkey space stations: from living areas to scientific laboratories. Now we have a better understanding of how to anticipate abnormal situations in orbit - for example, sudden temperature changes or system failures. And the main thing is to work within strict safety limits.
- What has been the most valuable experience?
- The realisation that space unites. Even a brilliant engineer can't do it alone: you need physicists, programmers, even marketing specialists! And we also found friends from different countries - now we have our own international network of ‘space’ enthusiasts.
P.S. Aliya admitted that after the workshop, the whole team reviewed ‘The Martian’ - to compare the ideas with how survival in space is seen in Hollywood. Turns out, real-world projects require far more layers of defence..... and teamwork!
- Your project focuses on defence against the extreme conditions of space. Which threats do you consider the most critical and how did you neutralise them?
- The main threat is radiation. During long flights, its effects accumulate, and the consequences for the crew's health are not immediately apparent. Traditional shielding methods are difficult to apply due to weight limitations: you cannot simply launch tonnes of protective materials into orbit. We have proposed three layers of protection. Firstly, a multi-layer shielding-vacuum insulation to disperse particles. Secondly, the equipment was placed along the outer shell of the module - this is an additional barrier. Thirdly, the inner walls of the cabin were covered with compressed polyethylene: it dampens vibrations and partially blocks radiation.
- Why did you choose multi-layer shielded-vacuum insulation?
- This technology is usually used for thermal protection, but we have adapted it for radiation. The alternating layers of reflective materials and vacuum layers solve several problems at once:
- Reduce heat transfer by suppressing radiation, conduction and convection;
- Slow down high-energy particles by scattering them;
- Reduce the mass of the structure compared to all-metal shields.
Of course, it is not a complete defence, but in combination with other solutions it becomes part of the safety system.
- How was it working in an international team? Were there any disagreements?
- There were difficulties, of course. We study in different fields: aerospace engineering, control systems development.... But this is a plus! For example, as a control specialist, I proposed solutions for the layout of devices, while my fellow engineers assessed their feasibility. We argued, but it helped us to look at the problem from different angles. If everyone thought in the same way, the project would have been less well thought out.
- What lectures or workshop experts helped in finalising the project?
- The MAI lecturers, especially the experts on rocket systems, played a huge role. Their lectures on the subtleties of design and examples from real missions inspired us to experiment with materials. And the workshop mentors gave us tips on how to combine creativity with technical requirements.
- Do you plan to continue your research in space architecture?
- Definitely! My dream is to go deeper into this field. I want people to be able to live in space or on other planets, and this requires not just technology, but a comfortable and safe environment. I hope my future projects will bring us closer to colonising Mars.
- What advice do you have for future workshop participants?
- Focus on crew safety from the beginning. For example, radiation is an unobvious but critical threat. Combine creativity with realism: even the boldest idea should be backed up by calculations. And don't be afraid of team disputes - they give birth to strong solutions.
- What skills from the workshop will you use in the future?
- We have learnt how to design turnkey space stations: from living areas to scientific laboratories. Now we have a better understanding of how to anticipate abnormal situations in orbit - for example, sudden temperature changes or system failures. And the main thing is to work within strict safety limits.
- What has been the most valuable experience?
- The realisation that space unites. Even a brilliant engineer can't do it alone: you need physicists, programmers, even marketing specialists! And we also found friends from different countries - now we have our own international network of ‘space’ enthusiasts.
P.S. Aliya admitted that after the workshop, the whole team reviewed ‘The Martian’ - to compare the ideas with how survival in space is seen in Hollywood. Turns out, real-world projects require far more layers of defence..... and teamwork!