Innovative Dome Design for Lunar Base Proposed in Mare Tranquillitatis

July 15, 2025
Innovative Dome Design for Lunar Base Proposed in Mare Tranquillitatis
  • The project aligns with NASA's Artemis Program, which emphasizes using in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) to minimize the need for materials transported from Earth, thereby reducing costs and logistical challenges.

  • Mare Tranquillitatis was selected for its protective advantages against meteoroid impacts and its historical significance, being near the Apollo 11 landing site, making it an ideal location for lunar base development.

  • The developed geopolymer from lunar regolith simulants exhibits mechanical properties comparable to cement concrete, and its curing process was adapted to lunar conditions, ensuring it meets strength and elasticity requirements.

  • The project is considered a preliminary step, with plans for collaboration across various fields to develop a more detailed lunar habitat in the future.

  • The structural design of the dome will maintain Earth-like atmospheric pressure and withstand lunar environmental stresses, supported by numerical analysis for its specifications.

  • The proposed habitat covers a 17-meter diameter crater in Mare Tranquillitatis, chosen for its favorable conditions and proximity to previous Apollo missions.

  • This concept is part of broader efforts by NASA, China, and the European Space Agency to establish sustainable lunar bases as humanity prepares for crewed missions to the moon.

  • The researchers plan to collaborate with experts from various disciplines to advance their lunar base project, indicating a multidisciplinary approach to future lunar habitat development.

  • A recent study published in Scientific Reports outlines the developmental pathway for this habitat, emphasizing the importance of innovative construction techniques for lunar environments.

  • Researchers from Poland and the UK have proposed a lunar habitat design that begins with a dome constructed over a 17-meter diameter crater in Mare Tranquillitatis, utilizing regolith-based geopolymer material.

  • This innovative dome aims to support sustained lunar missions by creating a protective environment that can withstand lunar conditions.

  • Led by Magdalena Mrozek from the Silesian University of Technology, the research team highlights the use of lunar regolith to create building materials on-site, facilitating construction efforts.

Summary based on 2 sources


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