Prototype II is a membrane structure that was recently unveiled at the Techtexil “Life in Space” exhibition. Providing a space for exhibition visitors to experience a virtual reality trip to Mars, the project was jointly developed by the European Space Agency and the German Aerospace Center.

The individual tensile structural units are connected by textile fabric to form the surface of the Eye_Beacon pavilion, and Prototype II is tightly wrapped in a layer of high-performance PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) film, also known as Teflon, to withstand extreme weather conditions. The two projects validate the concept of a future multifunctional membrane structure skin system, jointly developed by UNStudio and MDT-tex and named Cirrus.

MDT-tex’s PTFE material can undoubtedly create a striking building facade, but this material also has other outstanding properties that make its structure stable and reasonable for use on the moon and Mars. Unlike typical Teflon or polyester materials coated with PVC, MDT-tex’s PTFE material is composed of multiple twisted continuous fibers, which makes the material particularly tensile and ductile. Although Prototype II covers a volume of 80 cubic meters, it is lightweight and easy to transport.

The PTFE membrane itself provides excellent protection for outer space occupants. The material is resistant to extreme temperature fluctuations (between -200 degrees Celsius and 327 degrees Celsius), is non-flammable, and has low electrical and thermal conductivity. The translucent PTFE membrane even has a light transmittance of 40% while filtering out harmful UV radiation.

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