27/07/2026
Final Presentation Space Architecture:
Large Orbital Space Structures +
Book Presentation: Design studio ORBITAL SHIFT
LVA 253.O77 Entwerfen S26 10.0 ECTS
Teaching: Sandra Häuplik-Meusburger and guests .tuwien
David Schumann ( ret.), Norbert Frischauf (Novaspace ), Florian Matusek (Genetec ), Christian Klösch (), Peter Schattschneider (), Elin Samson (.aktuell)
* The studio runs alongside a European Space
Agency–funded research project and is supported
by guest lecturers from ESA, Foster + Partners, TU
Munich, David Nixon, and Catapult, and others.
This design studio explores the future of large-scale orbital space structures, moving beyond existing reference solutions toward next-generation space architecture. The central question is: How can large space structures be designed as modular, expandable, adaptable, and sustainable systems, that can be assembled and operated in orbit?
Given current challenges—launcher constraints, assembly complexity, space debris, and limited scalability—the studio investigates Design for Assembly and Disassembly, transferring modular strategies from terrestrial architecture to the space environment. Following an intensive research phase, students work in teams to develop visionary yet physically grounded mission scenarios. Key areas of exploration include: modular and expandable orbital systems | structural and mechanical connector concepts | in-orbit assembly strategies | design development across scales — from system architecture to technical detailing.
Students:
Markus Hintermeier, Luka Pejic, Roman Bitzinger
Clara Seifert, Jona Edtmair
Matteo Mogliazza, Paul Hegewald
Aleksandar Kyuvliev, Malden Tzvetkova
Anastasiia Kubankova
Meze Kuzhanova
Gregor Hilpert
Franziska Thiemeyer, Nadezh Mileva, Carolina Wannasek
Caroline Maria Lechner
Amna Okanovic
Foto: ©HB2