TransHab Concept

The TransHab program has been discontinued. The following article is for historical use.

The TransHab proposal consisted of four levels where astronauts could move about freely as they work and live aboard the ISS.

Level One

The first level houses a kitchen with a refrigerator-freezer, microwave oven, water dispenser, and food preparation equipment as well as a table that seats 12, enough to allow an entire Station resident crew and replacement crew to sit together for meetings or meals. There are three galley racks, a large wardroom table, an Earth-viewing window and a soft stowage array. The Earth-viewing window is 51 centimeters (20 inches) in diameter and is located near the dining area. The window has four panes totaling 10.2 centimeters (4 inches) thick and a hard frame around each window that attaches to all layers of the shell.

Stowage -- Soft-sided cabinets provide stowage for spare parts, supplies, clothing and other equipment. TransHab would double the stowage room available on the International Space Station.

Level Two

Crew Quarters -- The crew quarters area has six individual crew quarters which are sized at 2.3 cubic meters (81 cubic feet) of volume per crew quarter and a central passageway located within the second level central core structure and water tanks. Each compartment contains a sleeping bag/sleep restraint, an area for stowing personal items, and a computer entertainment center for recreation and personal work.

Mechanical -- The mechanical room is external to the core structure and uses only half the floor space. It is acoustically and visually isolated. The other half of this area is a clerestory above the wardroom area. The mechanical room consists of an environmental control and life support system, power equipment and avionics equipment and provides return airflow from Level One and Level Three through openings.

Level Three houses an exercise area, a complete health care system, a "space bath" area and a soft stowage area.

Level Three

Level Three houses an exercise area with a treadmill and stationary bicycle. Exercise is important to keep astronauts healthy in weightlessness for long periods. The area also contains a complete health care system with all types of medical and emergency equipment and a type of "space bath" area provided for body cleansing. In addition, this level contains a soft stowage area identical to level one.

Crew Health Care Area -- The crew health care area incorporates two ISS Crew Health Care System racks, a Full Body Cleansing Compartment, changing area, exercise equipment (treadmill and ergometer), a partitionable area for private medical exams and conferencing, and an Earth-viewing window. The Earth-viewing window is 51 centimeters (20 inches) in diameter and is located near the exercise area. The window has four panes totaling 10.2 centimeters (4 inches) thick and a hard frame around each window that attaches to all layers of the shell.

Stowage -- Soft-sided cabinets provide stowage for spare parts, supplies, clothing and other equipment. TransHab would double the stowage room available on the International Space Station.

Level Four

The Pressurized Tunnel Area provides a passageway between TransHab and the vehicle to which it is attached. The tunnel has two standard International Space Station hatches and houses critical equipment required during inflation, such as avionics and power equipment.