Closed Habitats Forum

HomeOutlineProgrammeSpeakersVenueLogisticsRegistrationContact

Welcome!

In 2015, ESA published its Strategy for Space Exploration based on the 4 strategic goals endorsed at the Council meeting at Ministerial level in December 2014 through adoption of the resolution on the ESA Space Exploration Strategy and related to areas (science, economic growth, inspiration and global cooperation) in which space exploration could create concrete opportunities to deliver benefits for society. To create and capitalise on those opportunities, ESA is taking a more proactive role in fostering synergies between space and terrestrial R&D activities, and initiated the “ESA Open Innovation Exchange” project. The project intend to raise awareness on scientific and technical research of common space/non-space interest, better define ESA Technological Programs, and possibly investigate collaborative partnerships identified during vis-à-vis events between ESA and non-space industries. As an initial phase of a more articulated effort, ESA is organising a series of Workshops/Forums addressing different scientific and technological fields, pertinent to both space and terrestrial applications. In particular, the Closed Habitats Forum is targeting the synergies in the field of resource (mainly water, air, food, waste, energy) sustainable management and safety (i.e, safe use by humans).

Help us in shaping a sustainable future!

Forum objectives

The purpose of the Closed Habitat Forum is to foster synergies between terrestrial and space exploration’s sciences, R&D and technologies in the field of resource sustainable management and safety (i.e safe use by humans) in order to capitalise on investments in Life Support Systems and Space Exploration activities for civil markets/societal benefits (including emerging societal challenges) and leverage on terrestrial research for space exploration.

The ESA Closed Habitat Forum aims at engaging terrestrial and space industrial communities to:

Initiate a dialogue on scientific and technical research of common interest.
Strengthen European collaboration and excellence in science and technology R&D.
Incentivize non-space industry to engage in space activities and with ESA.
Create a steady flow of collaborative partnerships (spin-ins and spin-offs).
Foster creativity, innovation and new markets derived from the field of space exploration R&D.
Foster the creation of a European community in this specialized field and build knowledge and momentum in Europe among this community for space exploration.
Put a particular attention on potential contribution to essential technologies identified for emergency civil population situations.

Outline

The Forum will feature 3 technical sessions addressing key themes in the field of resource sustainable management and safety.

Sustainable resource management

The splinter session will focus on material and energy flows, with a closer look on how these flows can be looped and intertwined to achieve a more sustainable resource management. In space, extremely efficient closure of Life Support Systems is vital for long-term viability of the habitats. On Earth, more efficient recycling processes as well as more efficient use of resources are key challenges regarding sustainability. Water, air, food, and waste management will be addressed, as well as the integration of eco-technologies into a fully functional closed habitat for space or terrestrial environments. More specific discussion topics may include re-use of wastewater in the context of precision and urban farming, atmospheric CO2 valorisation into organic chemical compounds through biorefinery processes, as well as bioremediation and micropollution removal. Topics related to industrial ecology and circular and green economy, addressing resource valorisation, and material and energy flows at larger scale, will also be discussed in this splinter session.

Sustainable habitat

The splinter session will be focusing on the habitat itself, the “shell” hosting the above mentioned processes. Modular, multifunctional, small and yet habitable space habitats are key components of space missions. More sustainable terrestrial habitats, in particular in dense urban environments, are also becoming essential challenges to be addressed regarding sustainability. Both construction and design of sustainable habitats will be addressed. More specific discussion topics may include ecomaterials, advanced materials and bio-inspired architecture, as well as habitability, ergonomy, and autonomous habitat.

Smart monitoring and system control

The splinter session will be focusing on monitoring and regulation of the material and energy flows that circulate within a truly smart habitat. In space, monitoring the health of the crew and the system control of the Life Support System and of the closed habitat in general is essential for providing a safe environment and thus ensuring the success of the mission. On Earth, smart monitoring technologies are very useful to offer a more personalized and better performed sensing of the environmental conditions of the habitat (such as indoor air quality and habitat surfaces microbiological quality) and inhabitants health status. It also allows to a more elegant use of resources and provides a better quality of life in a healthy habitat.

Keynote presentations will introduce the different technical sessions and serve as catalyst for the following Splinter sessions discussions, during which participants will be asked to answer crucial questions, brainstorm and exchange ideas on the potential links between terrestrial and space activities.

Participants’ contribution will be summarised in the final Forum proceedings and recommendations.

Programme

09 June (day 1)

13:00 – 14:00	Registration.
14:00 – 14:30	Welcome address: Prof. Suren Erkman, Vice-Dean for research, communication and quality, Faculty of Geosciences and Environment, UNIL. Philippe Moreillon, Vice Rector for Research and International Relations, UNIL. Dr Oliver Botta, Scientific Advisor Space Transportation and Exploration, Swiss Space Office, State Secretariat for Education and Research (SER).
14:30 – 16:00	Introductory presentations: Bernard Hufenbach, Head of Strategic Planning and Outreach Office of the ESA Directorate of Human Spaceflight and Robotic Exploration: “ESA Space Exploration program and plans”. Samantha Cristoforetti, ESA Astronaut: “Closed Habitat in space: testimony from the Italian European Space Agency Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti”. Dr Christophe Lasseur, Life Support R&D Coordinator, ESA: “Closed Habitat for Space: state of the art and perspectives”.
16:00 – 16:15	Coffee break.
16:15 – 17:30	Keynote plenary presentations: Sustainable resource management: Suren Erkman. Sustainable habitats: Prof. Marilyne Andersen and Prof. Guillaume Habert. Smart monitoring and system control: Prof. Denis Lalanne and Prof. Jean-Pierre Flandrois.
17:30 – 19:00	Splinter sessions – Part I – Brainstorming, animated* by: Suren Erkman and Dr István Kenyeres. Guillaume Habert/Dr Russell Loveridge and Mr Olivier Scheffer. Prof. Denis Lalanne, Prof. Jean-Pierre Flandrois and Prof. Francesc Gòdia.
19:30	Working Dinner on UNIL Campus.

10 June (day 2)

09:00 – 09:30	Welcome coffee.
09:30 – 10:15	Keynote plenary presentation: Mr Nicolas Henchoz, Director, EPFL+ECAL Lab: “Turning emerging technical performance into user experience: involving design in the innovation process”.
10:15 – 11:30	Splinter sessions – Part II – Consolidation.
11:30 – 12:30	Splinter sessions – Part III – Wrap-up
12:30 – 14:00	Lunch at Amphimax building.
14:00 – 15:00	Plenary session : main outcomes from the splinter sessions.
15:00 – 16:00	General conclusions – Next steps: Nouria Hernandez, Rector elect, UNIL. Suren Erkman and Dr Christophe Lasseur: how to progress on the recommendations and maintain momentum on Closed Habitats – next steps. Closure of the Forum.

Speakers & Committees

Marilyne Andersen Head of Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Performance-Integrated Design (LIPID) Dean, Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering School Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland Member of the Scientific Committee Keynote speaker (Splinter 2)	Suren Erkman Head of Industrial Ecology Group Vice-Dean for research, communication and quality Faculty of Geosciences and Environment University of Lausanne, Switzerland Member of the Scientific Committee Keynote speaker (Splinter 1)
Jean-Pierre Flandrois Professor Bioinformatics, Phylogeny and Evolutionary Genomics Group Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, France Keynote speaker (Splinter 3)	Francesc Gòdia Professor of Chemical Engineering Overall Manager of the MELiSSA Pilot Plant Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain Member of the Scientific Committee Moderator (Splinter 3)
Guillaume Habert Professor, Chair of Sustainable Construction Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Switzerland Keynote Speaker ( splinter 2)	István Kenyeres President BIOPOLUS Institute, Hungary Member of the Scientific Committee Moderator (Splinter 1)
Nicolas Henchoz Director EPFL+ECAL Lab, Switzerland Keynote Speaker	Denis Lalanne Head of Human Centered Interaction Science and Technology University of Fribourg, Switzerland Keynote speaker (Splinter 3)
Christophe Lasseur Life Support R&D Coordinator European Space Agency, The Netherlands Member of the Scientific Committee	Russell Loveridge Managing director NCCR Digital Fabrication, Switzerland
Olivier Scheffer R&D Director XTU Architects, France Moderator (Splinter 2)	Martin Wilderer Chief Operating Officer EQi, United Kingdom Member of the Scientific Committee