Project Description:
Design, build, and test a prototype payload rack optimized for partial gravity environments, tailored for lunar with scalability to Mars surface habitats, to contribute to the development of adaptable infrastructure that supports diverse payload management for long-duration crew-based missions.​ The payload rack should be designed with adaptability in mind, capable of accommodating a wide range of scientific, logistical, and storage payloads across various gravitational environments, including microgravity, 1/6g, and 1/3g. A human-centered design approach must be employed, integrating human factors and ergonomics to ensure ease of use, maintenance, and repair in partial gravity settings. To promote operational efficiency, the rack system should be easily replaceable, maintainable, and serviceable with minimal crew time, thereby maximizing mission productivity. Additionally, the design should emphasize sustainability and extensibility, allowing the rack to be repurposed or modified for different mission scenarios and adaptable to the evolving scientific and operational requirements of both lunar and Martian missions.
