Dr Barbara Imhof, Principal and managing director at LIQUIFER Systems Group and one the World's first space architects visited the University of Kent on Thursday March 23 hosted by Professor Nigel Mason.
Barbara delivered a lecture to the PHYS5080 class (Spacecraft Design and Operations) entitled ‘Designing for outer space’ and a more general seminar entitled ‘Building Beyond’.
In both talks Barbara gives a fascinating insight into the complexities of designing structures in space with its lack of gravity and dangers of irradiation. Answers to questions such as:
- How do you sleep when you can’t lie down?
- How do you grow food in space?
- How to design a moon base and where to build it?
As we enter an era in which humanity will have permanently crewed structures in space and on the Moon the role of space architects will become ever more important and a new career path. Barbara is one of the first but perhaps some of the students in the audience may follow?
If you missed the talk you can view the video here.
For more details about Dr Barbara Imhof and her work click here.