Spacewalls

Spacewalls are a conceptual class of structural barriers used in space habitats to delineate, protect, and insulate interior volumes. In both theoretical discussions and early engineering concept studies, spacewalls serve as modular, replaceable partitions that support life-support planning, crew comfort, and safety in microgravity or reduced-gravity environments. Real-world habitat concepts consider spacewalls as multi-layer assemblies integrated with structural frames, insulation, environmental control and life-support systems, and sometimes shielding against micrometeoroids and radiation.

Design and construction: Spacewalls may be rigid panels made of aluminum, carbon fiber composites, or ceramic/metal laminates, or inflatable shells with a protective outer layer. Modern approaches also use honeycomb cores for stiffness and removable panels for maintenance. In some designs, walls contain channels for coolant, air distribution, electrical wiring, and data cables, reducing payload integration complexity. Radiation shielding can be provided by a layer of polyethylene or regolith-filled modules, or by functionally graded materials in the wall assembly.

Applications and use: In orbital habitats, spacewalls help segment crew quarters, laboratories, and airlocks, while contributing to thermal control and acoustic management. In surface missions, wall systems must withstand dust, regolith, and temperature extremes, and often include ingress/egress portals and attachment points for equipment.

History and development: The term spacewalls appears in architectural studies and speculative space settlement literature as a general descriptor for interior barriers in extraterrestrial habitats, with real-world research focusing on modularity, manufacturability, and shielding efficiency.