NASA have been running a competition, “The X-Hab Challenge,” between engineers to find a suitable flexible dwelling-cum-vehicle for the Martian surface. The NASA guidelines for the competition(pdf) lay down a number of criteria which basically simplify to the following requirements:

• hard-shell prototype habitat
• inflatable loft to deploy from hard shell
• room enough to sleep four
• reconfigurable as a “crew gathering” or “group meeting” area

The winning design will be put into extensive testing by NASA and might just wind up on its way to the Moon or Mars one day.

I have already submitted a prototype entry:

Artists impression

It is pretty foolproof really. The design

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James Bonnell has been circumnavigating the UK for the past 130 days…and has managed to paddle 2160 miles! And with less than 100 miles to go, we thought we would give you an update on the challenges he has faced!

Weeks 11 and 12: James’ wrist fell victim to Tendonitis, which resulted in being on a number of painkillers, and having to wear wrist supports. He kept paddling, but he had to make sure he was well enough as he had to face with 5 hours of open sea paddling, for the first time on this adventure.

A few days later he found himself in minor difficulty when the weather turned and forced his kayak landing into some rocks by a lighthouse. Luc

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