Composites in building the Space Office prototype

The objective is to build the SO entirely from fibre composite technologies , deliberately using a mixture of technical and natural fibres and associated resins and hardeners to gain experience with this type of technology for housing purposes. The prototype will be used to test the capabilities of these materials and related construction techniques. 

14 Neumayer III station, in cooperation between ESA (European Space Agency) and AWI (Alfred Wegener Institute). 

Core materials for composite sandwich components are foams such as those based on polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Those appropriate for the SO are high-quality PVC foams which show good long-term performance, are easy to work with, are very lightweight and show very good thermal insulation with low thermal conductivity. The core material selected will be from certified closed cell -type foam with technical characteristics as follows  

The use of sandwich components and multiple layers provides a double wall which enhances both strength and safety (Fig. 15.16). The double wall 

Load-carrying structure (fibre laminate, 1 mm thick) 

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