‘Space Auditor’: Why Space Architecture is Impossible without Medical and Psychological Professionals?
Interview with Oleg Voloshin, cybernetic physician, spokesman for the Institute of Medical and Psychological Physics of the Institute of Biomedical Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences
On 24-25 April, Moscow will host the workshop ‘Space Auditor: Checking in Orbit’, where young architects and designers will design extraterrestrial stations under the guidance of experts. One of the key speakers is Oleg Voloshin, a cybernetic physician and spokesman for the Institute of Medical and Biological Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences. In the interview, he explained why space houses are not just ‘beautiful boxes’, but complex systems where it is critical to take into account the human factor.
- Is space architecture already a profession of the future or is it still an experiment?
- The direction is just being formed. Specialists will be needed soon - the industry is developing rapidly. But there are still too many pitfalls: from the choice of materials to the psychology of the crew.
- What are the main challenges in designing extraterrestrial stations?
- Firstly, the materials. We need solutions that are lightweight, durable and safe for humans. Secondly, ergonomics. In a confined space, you cannot just draw a ‘beautiful house’ - you have to take into account radiation, aggressive environment (e.g., lunar dust), and most importantly, the psyche of people who will not be able to leave the station for months.
- What can Earth architects learn from space medics?
- For example, how lighting and noise affect health. On Earth, this is often neglected - they put up cold lights and design noisy neighbourhoods. In space, such mistakes are fatal: you can't just change a light bulb or go to another ‘neighbourhood’.
- What non-obvious skills does a space architect need?
- Knowledge of radiation safety, basic physiology and small group psychology. For example, materials should not emit harmful substances and interiors should not provoke conflicts. The experience of designing the interiors of Soviet orbital stations (‘Salyut’, ‘Mir’) is an excellent basis for study.
- What trends will define space architecture in the next 20 years?
- 1. New materials - for example, ‘lunar concrete’ made from local dust.
2. Hybrid aesthetics and functionality - design that will take into account the psychology of the crew.
3. Autonomous life support systems - after all, on Mars or the Moon, you can't quickly call in ‘repairmen’.
- How will the Space Auditor workshop help the industry?
- Such events teach an interdisciplinary approach. Architects, engineers, medics and psychologists have to work together from the very beginning. Otherwise, it will turn out like with earthly houses: we built them, and then we remodel them. In space, this is unacceptable.
- The top tip for participants?
- Don't ignore ‘non-core’ experts. A space house is a symbiosis of technology and biology. Without an understanding of human psychology and physiology, even the coolest design will be a failure.
The workshop ‘Space Auditor’ will be held on 24-25 April in MSTU-MASI (Moscow). Participants will design modules for the Moon and Mars, test them for stress resistance and even communicate with the ISS. Details and registration: https://icyarch.org/.
Interview with Oleg Voloshin, cybernetic physician, spokesman for the Institute of Medical and Psychological Physics of the Institute of Biomedical Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences
On 24-25 April, Moscow will host the workshop ‘Space Auditor: Checking in Orbit’, where young architects and designers will design extraterrestrial stations under the guidance of experts. One of the key speakers is Oleg Voloshin, a cybernetic physician and spokesman for the Institute of Medical and Biological Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences. In the interview, he explained why space houses are not just ‘beautiful boxes’, but complex systems where it is critical to take into account the human factor.
- Is space architecture already a profession of the future or is it still an experiment?
- The direction is just being formed. Specialists will be needed soon - the industry is developing rapidly. But there are still too many pitfalls: from the choice of materials to the psychology of the crew.
- What are the main challenges in designing extraterrestrial stations?
- Firstly, the materials. We need solutions that are lightweight, durable and safe for humans. Secondly, ergonomics. In a confined space, you cannot just draw a ‘beautiful house’ - you have to take into account radiation, aggressive environment (e.g., lunar dust), and most importantly, the psyche of people who will not be able to leave the station for months.
- What can Earth architects learn from space medics?
- For example, how lighting and noise affect health. On Earth, this is often neglected - they put up cold lights and design noisy neighbourhoods. In space, such mistakes are fatal: you can't just change a light bulb or go to another ‘neighbourhood’.
- What non-obvious skills does a space architect need?
- Knowledge of radiation safety, basic physiology and small group psychology. For example, materials should not emit harmful substances and interiors should not provoke conflicts. The experience of designing the interiors of Soviet orbital stations (‘Salyut’, ‘Mir’) is an excellent basis for study.
- What trends will define space architecture in the next 20 years?
- 1. New materials - for example, ‘lunar concrete’ made from local dust.
2. Hybrid aesthetics and functionality - design that will take into account the psychology of the crew.
3. Autonomous life support systems - after all, on Mars or the Moon, you can't quickly call in ‘repairmen’.
- How will the Space Auditor workshop help the industry?
- Such events teach an interdisciplinary approach. Architects, engineers, medics and psychologists have to work together from the very beginning. Otherwise, it will turn out like with earthly houses: we built them, and then we remodel them. In space, this is unacceptable.
- The top tip for participants?
- Don't ignore ‘non-core’ experts. A space house is a symbiosis of technology and biology. Without an understanding of human psychology and physiology, even the coolest design will be a failure.
The workshop ‘Space Auditor’ will be held on 24-25 April in MSTU-MASI (Moscow). Participants will design modules for the Moon and Mars, test them for stress resistance and even communicate with the ISS. Details and registration: https://icyarch.org/.