E|A|S (Evolving Asteroid Starships)

TEC ART 2018

Exhibition (2018)

Authors

A.C.J. Vermeulen System Engineering - TPM
Research Group
System Engineering (TPM) (TU Delft)
Art and science Self-organization ISRU Bio-inspired design Emergence Space exploration Asteroid mining Installation art Interstellar exploration Starship Morphogenetic engineering
More Info
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Published Date

2018

Language

English

Reuse Rights

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Faculty

Technology, Policy and Management

Department

Multi Actor Systems

Research Group

System Engineering

Abstract

The hostile and unpredictable environment of deep space requires a new conceptual approach for interstellar flight, one that differs radically from any current design in aerospace. Using biology as inspiration, E|A|S suggests creating starships that physically grow and evolve during their journey. Resources extracted through asteroid mining are used to 3D print new components of the ship in an almost endless process of adaptation. The DSTART team is currently developing concept studies and computer simulations to test these ideas. The installation on display here was created by Nils Faber, Andreas Theys and Angelo Vermeulen for TEC ART. The animations are different preparatory studies for the E|A|S project. They visualize concepts such as modular reconfigurable space architecture and bio-inspired 3D printing. A VR system enables the viewer to explore some of the designs interactively. The supercomputer built with 50 Raspberry Pi units is designed to run starship simulations and is making its calculations in real-time during the exhibition. DSTART (TU Delft Starship Team) is a multidisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, architects and artists developing next-generation concepts for interstellar exploration. DSTART aims to critically explore ideologies underpinning space exploration paradigms and tries to propose alternative approaches. In September their work will also be on display during BredaPhoto 2018 curated around the theme 'To Infinity and Beyond.'
Media of output: mixed media art installation.
Size: 5 x 3 x 2,5 m.