NASA‘s First Space Station on Earth

NASA Sustainability Base,
Moffett Field, California

Sustainability Base is named in recognition of the kinship between it and the first off-planet human outpost on the moon, Tranquility Base. The facility has earned LEED® Platinum certification, among the first federal installations to do so. NASA is applying its expertise derived from aeronautics, information technology and space exploration to the built environment, using Sustainability Base as a living laboratory to develop methods and tools for understanding and controlling dynamic energy and water systems here on Earth.

Sustainability Base effectively combines passive (hydronic geothermal) and active (heat exchangers, radiant ceiling tiles) heating/cooling and daylighting strategies to optimize energy use. On-site, a BloomBox® ES-5700 produces more electricity than peak demand. Roof-mounted SunPower® E-19 panels can produce 87kW, approximately 30% of annualized demand. Excess production is metered onto the local electrical grid at the Ames substation. Inside, technology developed for the International Space Station recycles sink/shower greywater for toilet flushes. Outside, irrigation uses locally remediated Superfund-site groundwater. Overall, Sustainability Base saves 90% of potable water over comparably sized facilities.

A rigorous materials selection protocol was implemented during the design and construction of Sustainability Base. First, Cradle to Cradle Certified™ products were used when available, cost effective and achievable through a competitive, tender process. When certified products could not be implemented, alternative products were evaluated by MBDC for their Cradle to Cradle Certified™ potential.