autodesk’s integrated cloud platform powers flexhab
In a significant stride towards lunar exploration, the European Space Agency (ESA) and with DLR (Deutsche Luft und Raumfahrt), have introduced FLEXHab, a cutting-edge modular habitat designed for astronaut training ahead of the Artemis missions. Behind its futuristic shell lies an equally innovative digital foundation: Autodesk’s Fusion program, which was instrumental in bringing this complex space habitat to life. Situated within the newly constructed LUNA facility at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne, Germany, FLEXHab offers a realistic simulation of lunar living conditions, preparing astronauts for extended stays on the Moon. This 28-square-meter habitat, developed by SAGA Space Architects, marks a pivotal development in Europe’s contribution to human space exploration.
Autodesk’s Fusion 360 platform brings FLEXHab habitat from concept to reality | all images courtesy of Autodesk
autodesk pushed material, spatial, and performance boundaries
Established in 2018, SAGA Space Architects has rapidly gained recognition for its innovative approach to designing habitats for extreme environments. With a portfolio that includes analog habitats tested in the Arctic and underwater, SAGA emphasizes human well-being and adaptability in confined spaces. Co-founder Sebastian Aristotelis, who personally tested previous habitat designs, leads the team in integrating advanced technologies such as circadian lighting systems and smart environmental controls, ensuring that FLEXHab not only supports life but enhances the psychological health of its occupants.
The Copenhagen-based architecture studio partnered with Autodesk to design the habitat using Fusion 360’s integrated cloud platform. The toolset allowed the team to manage complex design data, prototype rapidly, and simulate structural performance in one cohesive environment. Autodesk’s influence went beyond software — it enabled the kind of fluid collaboration and iteration that space architecture demands. With FLEXHab expected to support four astronauts for up to 30 days, every cubic centimeter mattered, and Autodesk’s design tools helped SAGA push material, spatial, and performance boundaries with agility and precision.
situated in Cologne, Germany, FLEXHab offers a realistic simulation of lunar living conditions
fusion’s tools that made real-time collaboration possible
FLEXHab serves as a multifaceted training environment, replicating the conditions astronauts will face during lunar missions. The habitat includes private sleeping quarters, a galley, a laboratory, and an airlock designed for extravehicular activity simulations. Innovative features such as circadian lighting mimic Earth’s day-night cycle, aiding in maintaining astronauts’ biological rhythms. Its construction combines lightweight materials and space-grade engineering with sustainability features like 3D-printed wood-based composites. Autodesk’s design platform allowed the architects to test these materials virtually and optimize their use — crucial for a structure intended to mirror the constraints of lunar habitats.
Using Autodesk’s generative design tools, the team explored multiple layout iterations quickly, balancing ergonomics with mechanical constraints. The software’s cloud-based structure allowed for real-time collaboration across teams and time zones, significantly accelerating the design timeline. As the FLEXHab needed to interface with both the Moon simulator and future mission analogs, Autodesk’s interoperability with other engineering platforms ensured all systems aligned precisely.
this 28-square-meter habitat, developed by SAGA Space Architects, marks a pivotal development in Europe’s contribution to human space exploration
Human factors were central to FLEXHab’s design — a core philosophy at SAGA. The team incorporated circadian lighting technology, currently in use aboard the ISS, to regulate astronaut sleep cycles and well-being. Autodesk tools supported this approach by enabling precise environmental simulations within the habitat, from light distribution to interior flow and psychological comfort. For a mission requiring extended isolation in confined quarters, these design nuances are critical — and Autodesk helped ensure nothing was left to chance.
In addition to Autodesk, SAGA’s collaborators include Bosch and Sony, contributing to the habitat’s integrated systems and immersive visual displays. But Autodesk’s early and continuous involvement made it a cornerstone of the project’s design DNA. From early conceptual sketches to detailed CAD models, the program supported every stage of development. Without tools like Fusion 360, designing something this intricate, under time pressure and with strict mission specs, would have been impossible.
SAGA Space Architects partnered with Autodesk to design the habitat using Fusion 360’s integrated cloud platform
Alongside Fusion, the SAGA team relied on Autodesk Revit to handle documentation and ensure regulatory compliance, allowing them to move seamlessly from initial concept to final execution within a single software ecosystem.
‘For the first time, we have one family of software that allows us to go from zero to 100,’ they note, underscoring how this integrated workflow is essential to maintaining precision and meeting complex standards. Sebastian Aristotelis reflects on how this technology has transformed what’s possible for a small, independent studio like SAGA: ‘We can now take on incredibly ambitious projects because of the tools at our fingertips. A decade or two ago, this simply wouldn’t have been feasible. Today, I walk into the studio knowing that if I dream something up overnight, my team has the means to bring it to life the next day. That kind of capability and creative freedom is everything I ever hoped for.’
Autodesk’s toolset allowed the team to manage complex design data, prototype rapidly, and simulate structural performance in one cohesive environment
FLEXHab’s construction combines lightweight materials and space-grade engineering with sustainability features like 3D-printed wood-based composites
using the platform, the architects were allowed to test these materials virtually and optimize their use
from early conceptual sketches to detailed CAD models, the software supported every stage of development
as FLEXHab needed to interface with both the Moon simulator and future mission analogs, Autodesk’s interoperability with other engineering platforms ensured all systems aligned precisely
Autodesk tools enabled precise environmental simulations within the habitat
simulations by the software program ranged from light distribution to interior flow and psychological comfort
Fusion 360 was crucial in achieving something this intricate under time pressure
the SAGA team further relied on Autodesk Revit to handle documentation and ensure regulatory compliance
‘For the first time, we have one family of software that allows us to go from zero to 100,’ notes Sebastian Aristotelis
Autodesk provided all the tools needed to execute the entire development process within a single software ecosystem
project info:
name: FLEXHab
agency: European Space Agency (ESA) | @europeanspaceagency; DLR (Deutsche Luft und Raumfahrt) | @dlr.en
partners: Autodesk, Bosch, Sony | @autodesk, @boschglobal, @sony
design: SAGA Space Architects | @saga_space_architects
location: LUNA facility at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC), Cologne, Germany
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