The Space Journey

SAINT GOBAIN SCHOLARSHIP 2020

THE SPACE JOURNEY AN EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCE OF THE OUTER SPACE

KALPANA B.ARCH 5TH YEAR(2016-2021) AMITY SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING, LUCKNOW UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Dear sir/ma'am The proposal of the project, 'The Space Walk' intends to create a space that provides the public an exceptional experience of the outer space.

Astronomy is an integral part of human history. Cultural constellation stories reflect how past societies viewed their world. As cities expand, the lack of personal contact with nature is producing negative psychological effects. A night sky is powerful, memorable, and soothing for visitors.

Therefore these spaces help people to take a break from their usual days and get engaged in the natural phenomena of the universe.

The old-aged, specially abled and working class miss out on the experience of natural night sky. They are so busy in their everyday schedule or are not being provided an ample opportunity that they are unable to access this experience. This leads us to the need for improvement of spaces which provide the phenomenal experience and knowledge of astronomy. The planetariums, science centers and their mobile units need to be researched on, studied in detail, equipped with technology innovation in order to result a useful facility. With increasing craze of astronomy, students must be persuaded to pursue the astronomical field for their higher studies.

As seen in recent past, humankind is exponentially progressing towards building up colonies in outer space. This makes it quite important for the public to get educated about it. Since the solar system and beyond is difficult to reach, students in their academics find it difficult to understand the concepts related to this. There are also certain misconceptions about phenomena like falling stars etc. which are due to superstitions or lack of accurate knowledge. Planetariums tend to prove a study medium that helps the students and other people to clear their concepts about astronomy. Since the planetarium activities happen outside the class, they also seem to be enjoyed much more by students. It helps to refurbish the three-dimensional thinking skills of students. The idea is to create a section of space in planetariums, science centers and astronomy centers in order to create a spark of interest among young students and public regarding astronomy as well as provide them a phenomenal experience.

This project would also enhance the Astro-tourism industry. It will prove to be an innovative solution to the astro-geeks who are keen in travelling for the night stargazing. The prototype can be installed at suitable places where stargazing is effective and clear. The surface of the sphere can be transparent at locations where the night sky is clear enough for stargazing.

Budget plan: The project has been submitted for this scholarship competition in order to make this project successful on real grounds. This would be possible with professional approval and necessary funds. A detailed report on the time schedule, budget including labour cost, material cost and transportation has been presented in this document. The major amount of the scholarship would be used in the material, assembly and dismantling of the structure. A part of the money would be used for live case studies and initial research in order to complete the execution of the project. This project once executed would prove beneficial in providing an exceptional experience to the visitors.

LETTER OF DECLARATION

I, the undersigned, Kalpana Lucknow,Uttar Pradesh 226010 as a necessary formality for my project proposal The Space Journey- submitted for funding to the Saint Gobain Scholarships, make following declarations.

I certify that the data, information and documents presented in the project are complete and true and that I provide complete rights to Saint-Gobain for its future communications and publicity.

I declare that the idea submitted in the proposal is original and references for the derived ideas have been duly mentioned.

Thank You, Sincerely, Kalpana B.Arch 5th year Amity School of Architecture and Planning Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Contact details of professional references: Prof. Jagbir Singh (Director, Amity School of Architecture and Planning, Lucknow) Contact no. 8005495522 Email ID: jsingh2@lko.amity.edu Ar. Smriti Rastogi (Faculty, Amity School of Architecture and Planning, Lucknow) Contact no. 8795485111 Email ID: srastogi1@lko.amity.edu

Want out-of-this-world fun?

A FLOAT IN SPACE! STEP INTO THE SPACE WITH PUFFY SPACESUITS

PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE PROJECT SPACE

VIEW OF THE CAMPUS

EXPERIENCE THE SPACE

VIEW OF THE CAMPUS

INTERIOR VIEW

WATER SPACE BALL

EXPERIENCE INSIDE THE SPACE SPHERE

SYNOPSIS STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

OBJECTIVES

User experience: Due to lack of variations and real-time user experience, not a large crowd is attracted to these locations.

Educational aspect: Since the planetariums do not offer an appropriate learning environment, students are unable to link the written educational data to the actual natural phenomena. They are not provided with opportunities to experiment and learn themselves.

Technology: A large number of planetariums around world lack the use of technological advancements which results in deteriorated user experience.

X-factor: Planetariums nowadays are generally about an enclosed dark room with projector shows that are repetitive and thus boring.

There is a lack of surprise and interesting elements, variability, and xfactor. They fail to attract a larger audience due to these factors. There is also a lack of publicity of these spaces, youth is therefore not aware and interested in visiting them. The planetariums need to provide a whole package of exceptional experience where people visiting it get engrossed in a different virtual world of astronomy.

AIM

This project would enhance the public appreciation and understanding of science and astronomy by communicating the beauty, knowledge, and wonders of the universe to persons of all ages. The project produces a visual simulation of sky phenomena. Visitors get a chance to experience the astronomical space along with antigravity aspect. This project supports the Pillar of Digital Technology Innovation.

Following are the intentions of this research: To trigger learner curiosity through these spaces in a way that normal classrooms cannot.

To eliminate misconceptions about astronomical activities and provide them a clearer picture of the same.

To induce and enhance three-dimensional thinking skills in students.

To provide people a common platform where they can witness the natural phenomena closely.

To design a distinctive structure that would attract the city dwellers.

STATEMENT OF ACTION

The aim of this research is providing users an exceptional experience that would spark their creativity, interest, and engagement in this context and to use it as a tremendous learning aid for students.

The idea is to create an anti-gravity astronomical space where the visitors can witness the experience of various phenomena and celestial bodies. The air-filled spacesuit on which the bouyant force acted by the liquid is the key element of artificial anti gravity created.

A prototype has been proposed that can be set up at desired places . The setup designed can be assembled and dissembled easily at places .

ASSEMBLY STAGES

SPACE FRAME STRUCTURE OF SPHERICAL BODY

MEMBRANE ON THE INNER SURFACE OF THE STRUCTURE

THE COLLAPSIBLE PLATFORM FOR THE VISITORS TO GET READY FOR SPACE EXPERIENCE

MEMBRANE FOR PROJECTION OF ASTRONOMICAL SPACE

SPHERE FILLED UP WITH WATER,VISITORS FREELY FLOATING IN SPACE ENJOYING THE EXPERIENCE

STRUCTURE and MATERIALS

Space Frame structure

Light Emitting concrete

The structural system of the sphere is based on spaceframes

The light emitting concrete will be used on the floor of surface to provide a galactic view.

Liquid Portable Adjustable Staircase The adjustable staircase will be used for reaching the level of collapsible platform.

The liquid added in the sphere will create a buoyant force on the visitors wearing the air-filled spacesuit. This will let the visitor float in the space and experience the astronomical space.

At Rest There is a collapsible platform that opens when the visitor enters the sphere so that the guides can attach the harness and make the visitor ready for the adventure. Once the visitor is ready wearing the air-filled spacesuit, the platform collapses and results in a spherical space where visitors can float and enjoy the astronomical space journey.

The sphere is connected to a water tank through pipelines which fill the water in the sphere once the visitors are ready for space journey. The water level decreases to 1600mm level when the space journey is over and consequently fills up when the journey starts.

Light emmiting concrete has been used on floors to provide a galactic view. The inner surface of the sphere has screens on which various phenomenas and celestial bodies will be projected.

In Motion Once the visitor is ready for the journey, the platform collapses and the visitors are freely hanging. The sphere is gradually filled up with the liquid. The displaced liquid creates a buoyant force on the air filled spacesuits which make the visitor float in space.

The surface of the sphere installed with the membrane screen displays various astronomical phenomena, celestial bodies, dark matter phenomena and many more galactic views. The floor of the sphere that is covered with light emitting concrete tends to emit light which acts as floating stars in the space.

PLAN OF ACTION TIME SCHEDULE BUDGET

RESEARCH

MATERIAL IDENTIFICATION

Primary study: Survey of the users, site analysis of suitable location for this setup, live case studies Time required: 2 month

Spaceframe Light emitting concrete Projectors Membrane Screen Plumbing fixtures Harness Spacesuits Steel struts and trusses Portable staircase Air cylinders

Secondary study: Study of organisations like ISRO for technical details required in carrying out this project on field.

Time required: 1 month Total budget: 20000 INR

LABOUR COST Assembly of the setup: Structural assembling and professional guidance Time required: 1 month 15 days Total budget: 15000 INR Dismantling of structure: Structural dismantling Time required: 15 days Total budget: 10000 INR Skilled abour would be required for the assembling and dismantling of the structure.

FUTURE USE AND EXECUTION OF PROJECT The plan is to handover the project to the concerned organisation at district and national level in order to convey this idea to countryside schools and astro-tourism locations. This would ensure smooth execution and better use of this project. It would be used for educational as well as entertainment purpose for the general public. Space research organisations, Astronomy clubs, Astronomy centres, Government organisations like Ministry of culture, NCSM, ISRO are some of the oragnisations that can be linked with the project in order to ensure enhanced use.

PROJECT ORIGINALITY

Time required: 1 month Total budget: 50000 INR (including transport)

TENTATIVE PROJECT SITE Surajkund Park near the Indira Gandhi Planetarium, Lucknow is a suitable site for execution of this project. Surajkund park has a total site area of 3 acres. It has a water body and green lush open ground. It is situated beside the planetarium which will help to attract the concerned visitors for this project. The concerned organisation Council of Science and Technology,Uttar Pradesh is also situated beside it which help in easier execution of the project.

Site area: 3 acres

Surajkund park

Proximity: Similar activity building present(Planetarium) Suitability: Open ground for execution Users: Space curious users and professionals living in proximity Location: Capital city (Availability of materials, labour and execution is easier) Accessibility:

Currently, there are mobile planetariums available in the educational field of astronomy. This project might be confused with the same. The planetariums existing in current times fail to offer the lost important experience of space that is anti-gravity. This project tends to provide a similar experience as space that is , antigravity. The visitors have an opportunity to go on a space tour inside a water ball, float in liquid same as in space.

200 m

Lucknow

5.1 km 16.1 km

Uttar Pradesh,India

REFERENCES

Research paper: Astro-Tourism as a High Potential Alternative Tourist Attraction in Tanzania

by Jiwaji, N. T. Faculty of Science Technology and Environmental Studies The Open University of Tanzania, Case studies: Indira Gandhi Planetarium, Lucknow, INDIA Adler Planetarium, Chicago, US Hayden Planetarium, New York, US Dan Snow, Thomas W. Vote, Claudia Robinson, Raymond J. Stein, John C. Rosemergy.

“Planetaria nd their use for education.”

Cranbrook Institute of Science. Michigan, 1958. 55-199.

Lantz, Ed. “Planetarium of the Future.” The Museum Journal (Curator, The museum Journal), 2011 Stefano Giovanardi, Gabriele Catanzaro, Giangiacomo Gandolf and Gianluca Masi.

Engaging the public of Rome in a cultural repossession of the urban sky.

Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry, 2018.

Xinxiong Liu, Wensi Li, Xuan Li, Wenqi Cao. Design Principle of the Exhibition project based on user research of planetarium.

Internaitonal Symposium on Knowledge Aquisition and Modelling, 2015.