IISc Bengaluru BHEEM Habitat: A Moon Base Bigger Than the ISS That Ships as Panels
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru have published a modular habitat concept called BHEEM (Bhartiya Extraterrestrial Expandable Modular Habitat) that assembles 2,130 cubic metres of living space from just 422 flat panels, more than double the pressurized volume of the International Space Station, which NASA lists at 1,005 cubic metres ( NASA, ISS Facts and Figures ;…
IISc Bengaluru has unveiled a modular lunar habitat design called BHEEM (Bhartiya Extraterrestrial Expandable Modular Habitat) that could potentially hold more living space than the entire International Space Station. This expandable habitat is created from 422 flat panels that can be launched and assembled on-site in space.
The BHEEM design treats off-world housing as a logistics problem, where light modules are launched, built up once in orbit, and expanded as the mission grows. While still an early architectural concept, BHEEM is the most complete answer to the question of where astronauts will live after landing on the Moon.
Key facts:
- BHEEM is built from 422 panels in 3 shapes (triangles, squares, pentagons) joined by 7 joint types.
- The flat-packed panels alone fit within one Starship-class payload bay of about 800 cubic meters.
- Assembled, the habitat reaches a volume of 2,130 cubic meters, more than double the ISS's pressurized volume of 1,005 cubic meters.
- The design supports up to 16 crew members for missions longer than 6 months, with expansion to include labs, a greenhouse, and medical facilities.
- The concept was developed by IISc Bengaluru researchers, including Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla.
- BHEEM's panels collapse to a small size for launch, while the habitat itself expands once in space.
- Panels can be swapped individually if damaged, allowing for low maintenance and repair on the lunar surface.
- Designs were validated through finite element analysis, showing a safety margin of around 3 times the yield strength of space-grade titanium.
- Life inside would be organized around daily astronaut activities like sleeping, eating, exercising, medical care, mission planning, and EVA preparation.
- The habitat starts with a common work area and grows in stages, adding private quarters, storage, labs, a greenhouse, and medical facilities as the mission progresses.
- BHEEM fits India's broader space plans by addressing the missing chapter on habitation after arrival, complementing the Gaganyaan crewed program and planned crewed lunar orbiting station.
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