Structural design of a lunar habitat

Abstract

This chapter is a summary of the work of Ruess, and Ruess et al.(1) (2) A method that assigns numerical values to the level of success of a structural concept was used to decide on one habitat for a structural analysis. Environmental conditions, structural requirements, mate- rials including local resources, and ease of construction were the criteria groupings. Transportation issues were also considered, since it is anticipated that the first- and sec- ond-generation lunar bases will be brought to the Moon from Earth. It may happen that 3D printing and layered manufacturing will continue to revolutionize our advanced manufac- turing abilities, and it may be that the first habitat on the lunar surface is created in this way. In this case, we will still have to transport the fabrication equipment to the Moon.