CSUN ARCS'
NASA-Sponsored Space and Robotics Research Dome Undergoes Feasibility Study
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. (Oct. 21, 2022) — Third-party architectural firm AC Martin is conducting a feasibility study on behalf of California State University, Northridge's NASA-sponsored Center of Excellence, the Autonomy Research Center for STEAHM (ARCS). ARCS and AC Martin expect the study to be released by January 2023.
This study will be an evaluation of how to maximize the potential of the proposed cutting edge spaces for the project. A layout of square footage, emergency exit placements, and fire sprinklers are also expected to be included in the study that will be presented to the builders, fire marshals, the city of Los Angeles, and CSUN. This feasibility study marks the first of many steps towards the innovative building's foundation.
CSUN ARCS’ STEAHM bubble is expected to have a state-of-the-art Moon and Mars surface simulator while providing spaces for collaborators like NASA and JPL to conduct rover tests and space exploration research. Medtronic and the Teraski Institute are also expected to utilize the space for conducting research on diabetes and biomedical innovation. ARCS expects the facility to be a transdisciplinary space at CSUN for both students and professors and external tech industries. Students in grade school and community colleges will get the opportunity to visit for field trips and summer camps to engage in workshops and demonstrations.
“I think it’ll be great. It’s going to generate a lot of jobs and revenue for the school and increase the competitiveness to get into CSUN.” said Research fellow and Assistant to the Director Keiana Samoy. Samoy said she has been excited to be given the opportunity to go on lab tours with JPL as a 22-year-old woman contributing to the construction of a large NASA sponsored facility.
CSUN ARCS is a transdisciplinary research Center of Excellence that provides research opportunities for underserved and underrepresented students in the fields of Science, Technology, Entrepreneurship, Arts, and the Humanities. Through transdisciplinary convergence research, ARCS hopes to be a global leader in increasingly autonomous systems (IA) in five years.
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