SSDW

The workshop is organized by the University of Stuttgart & the Technical University of Munich With the end of operation of the International Space Station ISS coming up within the next twelve years it is time to think about a successor space station to preserve long-duration human presence in space. Human exploration of the solar system is realized through a progressive series of space operations,

with each seeking to extend the reach of its predecessor. Operations concerning the moon, libration points, asteroids, and near planets such as Mars are all considered significant objectives towards the expansion of human space exploration. As an important step in this process, manned platforms in Earth’s proximity may be used to support exploration missions as well as long-duration microgravity research. The challenges faced by such research outposts are ever-changing, as are the possibilities for their application. As such, new ideas and approaches are required in order to maximize the potential of these facilities. To this end, the Institute for Space Systems (IRS) at the University of Stuttgart, is organising a yearly Space Station Design Workshop (SSDW). The SSDW combines talented undergraduate and graduate students, as well as young professionals, in a cooperative yet competitive environment. Under guidance from experts in academia and industry, and drawing on their collective skills and experiences, these students will be tasked with designing a manned platform in space in an intensive one-week workshop at the IRS facility in Stuttgart, Germany. As interdisciplinary cooperation is integral to such projects, applicants from all fields of study are welcome at the workshop! Participants in the SSDW will face a uniquely challenging and exciting task, and in doing so have the opportunity to make valid contributions to the space community.