European astronaut training powered by Tector
Sebastian Aristotelis, Co-Founder & Lead Architect at SAGA, has always been fascinated by the idea of human habitability in extreme environments. "A few thousand years ago, even Denmark would have been uninhabitable," he explains. "But through technology, we’ve pushed the boundaries of where we can live—why not the Moon or Mars next?" This vision led SAGA to design and build FLEXHab, an advanced lunar habitat at the European Space Agency’s (ESA) LUNA training facility in Cologne, Germany. FLEXHab is a critical component in preparing astronauts for upcoming Artemis missions, offering an environment that closely replicates the Moon’s conditions.
Yet, creating a self-sustaining habitat for astronaut training comes with immense technical challenges—one of the most pressing being moisture control in an airtight structure. That’s where Tector’s real-time moisture detection technology comes in place.
Simulating the moon while managing earth's reality
A space habitat, whether in orbit or on the Moon, must be airtight. FLEXHab is no exception. "Humans produce humidity, and even with a vapor barrier, there’s always a risk of moisture seeping into the structure," Aristotelis explains. "Over time, that moisture can accumulate, condense, and—if unchecked—cause deterioration in critical materials, particularly timber."
Unlike traditional construction projects, where inspections and maintenance can be done at any time, FLEXHab needs to maintain a controlled, stable interior for astronaut training. SAGA needed a way to continuously monitor environmental conditions without disrupting operations. They also wanted to ensure that, should a leak occur—whether from a water source inside the habitat (like faucet or shower) or condensation forming over time—they would be alerted before any damage occurred.
Real-time moisture detection for a fully controlled environment
SAGA integrated Tector’s moisture detection system throughout the FLEXHab structure to provide continuous, real-time data on moisture levels and humidity fluctuations, helping the team detect even minor anomalies before they become major issues.
Aristotelis sees this as part of a broader shift in construction: "We’re already measuring everything about the human experience inside FLEXHab—temperature, sound levels, gas compositions—but structural monitoring is just as crucial. Long-term, data-driven insights are the future of building design and maintenance, whether on Earth or beyond."
Tector’s system ensures that FLEXHab’s integrity remains intact throughout astronaut training missions. By proactively detecting potential moisture build-up, SAGA can prevent structural issues before they occur—providing an extra layer of reliability in this high-stakes environment.
Shaping the future of space and sustainable construction
The collaboration between SAGA and Tector goes beyond astronaut training. SAGA’s philosophy of pushing sustainable architecture to the extreme is evident in both their space habitats and Earth-based projects, such as their ultra-sustainable EcoNeo houses. In these projects, as with FLEXHab, understanding environmental conditions in real-time is key to building structures that last.
"Regardless of the materials used, data-driven construction is the future," Aristotelis states. "Tector’s sensors allow us to track our structures’ health over decades, enabling smarter renovations and better decision-making—not just in space, but across the construction industry as a whole."
For SAGA, FLEXHab is a crucial step towards future Moon habitats. For Tector, it’s proof that moisture detection is not just a practical solution for timber buildings and flat roofs—it’s a necessity for the next generation of sustainable, high-performance structures, whether on Earth or in space.
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