 Lunar Hot Tent
   
Project Duration: 6 weeks
Collaborator: Frank Mauro Tools: Sewing, Pattern making, Woodworking, Prototyping

Professors Newman and Wynn lead the Planetary Hospitality Project at CMU, researching the nature of human hospitality through the lens of space travel. 

As part of this, my classmate Frank and I set out to design an emergency lunar tent, and then constructed a terrestrial version inspired by hot tents.`    


❷ Design Constraints
The structure is collapsible and deployable even with limited dexterity. The scissor mechanism is expanded with two people, and pushed inwards to form the arc.


Much of our early ideation was done through talking and sketching around a table. These collaborative sketches were a key step in communication and descision making.



❸ Prototyping 
We started with small models and worked up to 1/4 scale before the final test. I led the design and fabrication of the fabric component and Frank led the wooden frame, but all processes were highly collaborative.



The quarter-scale model helped us decide where to add tension and play with the pattern. We tried to optimize the design to have as few ropes and connection points as possible. 


❺ Deployment
While some elements would have to be refined for space travel, we were able to pitch the tent with minimal trouble while wearing welding gloves.

We were quite happy with its collapsed form.
This time-lapse demonstrates the tent pitch with two people. The setup time is about 5-10 minutes from its compacted form. 



❼  Culmination!



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