For more than 80 years, ROCKWOOL Group has been at the forefront of stone wool innovation, investing in research and development to release the natural power of stone to enrich modern living.
We’re proud to be part of this global group, where sustainable solutions are inspired by nature, and the inherent properties of one of the world’s most abundant resources are leveraged to help overcome complex global challenges.
One of the most unique examples of this can be seen in a project our Danish colleagues recently supported, which over time, could see ROCKWOOL head to the moon!
Here’s how it all came together…
In summary
In collaboration with SAGA Space Architects, ROCKWOOL has contributed to the development of a lunar habitat that has just been inaugurated as part of the European Space Agency's (ESA) LUNA facility in Cologne. The lunar habitat will train European astronauts for future lunar missions and will play a key role in space activities in the coming years.
After many months of work, SAGA's new lunar habitat FLEXHab has now been officially inaugurated. The habitat has been transported from Denmark and is now connected to a 1,000m2 simulation of the lunar surface, which is located in the European astronaut training center in Cologne. The lunar habitat is built in a 40-foot container to optimise transportation and provide flexibility.
To isolate the lunar habitat, SAGA has used ROCKWOOL Flexibatts 34 from ROCKWOOL Denmark, which has also provided consultancy throughout the project. Sebastian Aristotelis, co-founder of SAGA, says:
"The insulation material we have received from ROCKWOOL has been essential to the success of the habitat. The fire safety and ease of use offered by ROCKWOOL's stone wool has made it possible to build a durable habitat to be used for astronaut training for the next 20 years – and hopefully eventually on the moon. ROCKWOOL has not only supplied the material, but also been an invaluable partner by offering advice on product selection and implementation throughout the process. It has really made a big difference, and we are very grateful for their contribution."
Innovation at the edge of the possible
For ROCKWOOL, it has been a unique opportunity to be part of a project that both pushes the boundaries of construction technology and explores the human ability to create novel habitats in the most extreme environments. Simon Bullinger, Project Sales Manager at ROCKWOOL says:
"It's always exciting to work with partners who share our passion for exploring new building technology solutions. Participating in the Lunar Habitat Project has given us a platform to demonstrate how our products can withstand even the most extreme conditions."
ROCKWOOL's stone wool insulation was chosen as the material of choice for the project, due to its unique ability to withstand extreme temperatures, repel water and resist moisture.
Learn more about the fire resilience, moisture repellence, and durability of ROCKWOOL stone insulation by exploring the many strengths of stone wool.
Technical advice ensures optimal design
In addition to supplying the insulation material, ROCKWOOL also advised SAGA about the placement of the airtight layer in FLEXHab.
"We have had good, technically based conversations about how to optimise the construction process and minimise the risk of moisture accumulation in the capsule when using when building with an airtight outer 'shell'," concludes Simon Bullinger.
ROCKWOOL looks forward to continuing the collaboration and delivering solutions that support human space exploration.
Our colleagues in Denmark have embodied the ROCKWOOL Group approach to stone wool innovation and we can’t wait to follow the journey of FLEXHab.
Hopefully one day we’ll see ROCKWOOL support life on the moon, until then, you can keep up to date with our stone wool news here on Planet Earth by signing up to our Knowledge Hub!
