Mars-Moon Lava Tube habitation simulation in Iceland

Mike Dunn talked about the use of lava tubes for the Moon and Mars habitats. Mike has worked on The Mars Lava Tube Pressurization Project’s (MLTPP).

The lunar soil is 40% oxygen. Lunar cement could be made to block off and enclose a lava tube. This would make it hundreds to thousands of times easier to make safe and large habitats on the moon.

Lava tubes could be enclosed and pressurized to support facilities such as greenhouses and maintenance enclosures. Astronauts could also use inflatable tents inside of lava tubes and caves while being protected from temperatures, radiation and meteorites.

They are working to simulate Moon and Mars lava tube habitats in a lava tube in Iceland.

The advantage of a lunar base in a lava tube is you can use lightweight construction materials. No radiation shielding is needed. Habitats could even be inflatable like Bigalow Aerospace stations.

The temperatures stay around -20 Celsius which is also better. Extremes at the lunar surface range from -180 deg C to +100 deg C in its diurnal cycle.

There has been a NASA mission analysis for exploring lava tubes on the moon.

The Marius Hill Skylight and Tranquillitatis Pit are both near Titanium, iron, water and helium 3.

Reconnaissance phase technologies may include EVA suited rappelling techniques and astronaut jetpacks. Possibly a quadruped robotic “pack mule”, Multi-Utility Legged Explorer (MULE™) would carry equipment for astronauts.

Entire lava tubes could have the opening sealed to enable the entire tube to be pressurized.

There are studies to look at how much the lunar soil would leak gas. If there is any leakage into or via the lunar dirt, there will be tests of the best ways to seal the walls. Tests by spraying on epoxy will be done. Early tests suggest about 22% porosity. Some sealing of the walls would seem to be needed.

Lava tubes or natural cave lets you build far simpler facilities that would be protected from radiation and meteorites.

Lava tubes exist on Earth, but their lunar counterparts are much larger. For a lava tube to be detectable by gravity data, it would need to extend several kilometers in length and at least one kilometer in height and width – which means the lava tube near the Marius Hills is spacious enough to house one of the United States’ largest cities, if the gravity results are correct.

From the 21st Annual International Mars Society Convention, held at the Pasadena Convention Center in Southern California from Aug 23-26, 2018.

35 thoughts on “Mars-Moon Lava Tube habitation simulation in Iceland”

  1. The biggest problem with long-term stays on the Moon and Mars is the lack of gravity: “When I read Zubrin’s book The Case For Mars, I was so intrigued by this surprising omission that I consulted a friend who is a space medic at JSC. He tells me that this issue was once discussed at a conference of medical doctors who had actually worked with the long-term residents of Mir and ISS. NONE of these experts thought that humans could adapt permanently to Mars gravity!” See: http://www.spacedaily.com/news/oped-05zzb.html

  2. The biggest problem with long-term stays on the Moon and Mars is the lack of gravity:When I read Zubrin’s book The Case For Mars” I was so intrigued by this surprising omission that I consulted a friend who is a space medic at JSC. He tells me that this issue was once discussed at a conference of medical doctors who had actually worked with the long-term residents of Mir and ISS. NONE of these experts thought that humans could adapt permanently to Mars gravity!””See:http://www.spacedaily.com/news/oped-05zzb.html“””

  3. It baffles me that we haven’t put any kind of rotating structure in space yet, and we’re talking about going to Mars and back in zero G. Seems to me the very next step should be a simple structure: a central hub, a couple pods attached at various distances from the hub, and a counterweight (possibly holding the supplies and machinery). Rotate the whole thing, then one pod can simulate Mars gravity another lunar gravity, and have people and plants do long-term tests on each level. A couple years of this, and we’d have an inkling of whether permanent colonies can be established on the surface of those bodies. It is also possible to put a centrifuge on the surface of Mars or the moon, and spin it to create an effect of 1 G. The centrifuges would have to be very large, as the colonists would likely have to spend the majority of their time living and working in the centrifuge. It would certainly complicate the colony building process, but it could ensure these individuals would be able to return to Earth. A 100 years from now, we could start another species of human, adapted to low G living. They would not be able to go to Earth or Venus, but could travel the rest of the solar system with less difficulty than Earth-born humans.

  4. Don’t need to put mirrors on Phobos. First off, the effect on the surface on Mars would be negligible. Instead, just put some mirrors around your settlement. Typical sunlight on Mars would be like on Earth on a cloudy day. A couple mirrors is all that’s needed for good plant growth, although you’d probably use red LEDs for optimal growth anyway. Then your plants can be at any depth, safe from various radiation.

  5. It baffles me that we haven’t put any kind of rotating structure in space yet and we’re talking about going to Mars and back in zero G. Seems to me the very next step should be a simple structure: a central hub a couple pods attached at various distances from the hub and a counterweight (possibly holding the supplies and machinery). Rotate the whole thing then one pod can simulate Mars gravity another lunar gravity and have people and plants do long-term tests on each level. A couple years of this and we’d have an inkling of whether permanent colonies can be established on the surface of those bodies.It is also possible to put a centrifuge on the surface of Mars or the moon and spin it to create an effect of 1 G. The centrifuges would have to be very large as the colonists would likely have to spend the majority of their time living and working in the centrifuge. It would certainly complicate the colony building process but it could ensure these individuals would be able to return to Earth.A 100 years from now we could start another species of human adapted to low G living. They would not be able to go to Earth or Venus but could travel the rest of the solar system with less difficulty than Earth-born humans.

  6. Don’t need to put mirrors on Phobos. First off the effect on the surface on Mars would be negligible. Instead just put some mirrors around your settlement. Typical sunlight on Mars would be like on Earth on a cloudy day. A couple mirrors is all that’s needed for good plant growth although you’d probably use red LEDs for optimal growth anyway. Then your plants can be at any depth safe from various radiation.

  7. Many of us understood that any practical large habitation on the Moon would have to be built in a giant lunar lava tube. Building on the surface poses way to many serious problems for humans and habitats. The temperature extremes, micro-meteors, radiation and charged and sharp lunar dust, makes building underground a much easier choice. Marius Hills giant lava tubes looks like the ideal location. It has all the elements we need. The tubes could be filled with lots of ice? China is also interested in exploring Marius Hills. Japan may want to partner with the United States. But it could be that Jeff Bezos may sweep in and claim the best lava tube to create the capital of the Moon -Bezos. The race has begun to find the best spot on the Moon to build a permanent colony below the lunar surface. Will you send your packages to the Moon by Amazon of Alibaba? Only time will tell…

  8. Many of us understood that any practical large habitation on the Moon would have to be built in a giant lunar lava tube. Building on the surface poses way to many serious problems for humans and habitats. The temperature extremes micro-meteors radiation and charged and sharp lunar dust makes building underground a much easier choice. Marius Hills giant lava tubes looks like the ideal location. It has all the elements we need. The tubes could be filled with lots of ice? China is also interested in exploring Marius Hills. Japan may want to partner with the United States. But it could be that Jeff Bezos may sweep in and claim the best lava tube to create the capital of the Moon -Bezos. The race has begun to find the best spot on the Moon to build a permanent colony below the lunar surface. Will you send your packages to the Moon by Amazon of Alibaba? Only time will tell…

  9. the tbm will have laid down miles of sealed tunnel bores by the time the dome is up. a subway between lava tubes.

  10. the tbm will have laid down miles of sealed tunnel bores by the time the dome is up.a subway between lava tubes.

  11. the tbm will have laid down miles of sealed tunnel bores by the time the dome is up. a subway between lava tubes.

  12. Many of us understood that any practical large habitation on the Moon would have to be built in a giant lunar lava tube. Building on the surface poses way to many serious problems for humans and habitats. The temperature extremes, micro-meteors, radiation and charged and sharp lunar dust, makes building underground a much easier choice. Marius Hills giant lava tubes looks like the ideal location. It has all the elements we need. The tubes could be filled with lots of ice? China is also interested in exploring Marius Hills. Japan may want to partner with the United States. But it could be that Jeff Bezos may sweep in and claim the best lava tube to create the capital of the Moon -Bezos. The race has begun to find the best spot on the Moon to build a permanent colony below the lunar surface. Will you send your packages to the Moon by Amazon of Alibaba? Only time will tell…

  13. Many of us understood that any practical large habitation on the Moon would have to be built in a giant lunar lava tube. Building on the surface poses way to many serious problems for humans and habitats. The temperature extremes micro-meteors radiation and charged and sharp lunar dust makes building underground a much easier choice. Marius Hills giant lava tubes looks like the ideal location. It has all the elements we need. The tubes could be filled with lots of ice? China is also interested in exploring Marius Hills. Japan may want to partner with the United States. But it could be that Jeff Bezos may sweep in and claim the best lava tube to create the capital of the Moon -Bezos. The race has begun to find the best spot on the Moon to build a permanent colony below the lunar surface. Will you send your packages to the Moon by Amazon of Alibaba? Only time will tell…

  14. Many of us understood that any practical large habitation on the Moon would have to be built in a giant lunar lava tube. Building on the surface poses way to many serious problems for humans and habitats. The temperature extremes, micro-meteors, radiation and charged and sharp lunar dust, makes building underground a much easier choice.
    Marius Hills giant lava tubes looks like the ideal location. It has all the elements we need. The tubes could be filled with lots of ice? China is also interested in exploring Marius Hills. Japan may want to partner with the United States. But it could be that Jeff Bezos may sweep in and claim the best lava tube to create the capital of the Moon -Bezos. The race has begun to find the best spot on the Moon to build a permanent colony below the lunar surface. Will you send your packages to the Moon by Amazon of Alibaba? Only time will tell…

  15. It baffles me that we haven’t put any kind of rotating structure in space yet, and we’re talking about going to Mars and back in zero G. Seems to me the very next step should be a simple structure: a central hub, a couple pods attached at various distances from the hub, and a counterweight (possibly holding the supplies and machinery). Rotate the whole thing, then one pod can simulate Mars gravity another lunar gravity, and have people and plants do long-term tests on each level. A couple years of this, and we’d have an inkling of whether permanent colonies can be established on the surface of those bodies. It is also possible to put a centrifuge on the surface of Mars or the moon, and spin it to create an effect of 1 G. The centrifuges would have to be very large, as the colonists would likely have to spend the majority of their time living and working in the centrifuge. It would certainly complicate the colony building process, but it could ensure these individuals would be able to return to Earth. A 100 years from now, we could start another species of human, adapted to low G living. They would not be able to go to Earth or Venus, but could travel the rest of the solar system with less difficulty than Earth-born humans.

  16. It baffles me that we haven’t put any kind of rotating structure in space yet and we’re talking about going to Mars and back in zero G. Seems to me the very next step should be a simple structure: a central hub a couple pods attached at various distances from the hub and a counterweight (possibly holding the supplies and machinery). Rotate the whole thing then one pod can simulate Mars gravity another lunar gravity and have people and plants do long-term tests on each level. A couple years of this and we’d have an inkling of whether permanent colonies can be established on the surface of those bodies.It is also possible to put a centrifuge on the surface of Mars or the moon and spin it to create an effect of 1 G. The centrifuges would have to be very large as the colonists would likely have to spend the majority of their time living and working in the centrifuge. It would certainly complicate the colony building process but it could ensure these individuals would be able to return to Earth.A 100 years from now we could start another species of human adapted to low G living. They would not be able to go to Earth or Venus but could travel the rest of the solar system with less difficulty than Earth-born humans.

  17. Don’t need to put mirrors on Phobos. First off, the effect on the surface on Mars would be negligible. Instead, just put some mirrors around your settlement. Typical sunlight on Mars would be like on Earth on a cloudy day. A couple mirrors is all that’s needed for good plant growth, although you’d probably use red LEDs for optimal growth anyway. Then your plants can be at any depth, safe from various radiation.

  18. Don’t need to put mirrors on Phobos. First off the effect on the surface on Mars would be negligible. Instead just put some mirrors around your settlement. Typical sunlight on Mars would be like on Earth on a cloudy day. A couple mirrors is all that’s needed for good plant growth although you’d probably use red LEDs for optimal growth anyway. Then your plants can be at any depth safe from various radiation.

  19. It baffles me that we haven’t put any kind of rotating structure in space yet, and we’re talking about going to Mars and back in zero G.

    Seems to me the very next step should be a simple structure: a central hub, a couple pods attached at various distances from the hub, and a counterweight (possibly holding the supplies and machinery). Rotate the whole thing, then one pod can simulate Mars gravity another lunar gravity, and have people and plants do long-term tests on each level. A couple years of this, and we’d have an inkling of whether permanent colonies can be established on the surface of those bodies.

    It is also possible to put a centrifuge on the surface of Mars or the moon, and spin it to create an effect of 1 G. The centrifuges would have to be very large, as the colonists would likely have to spend the majority of their time living and working in the centrifuge. It would certainly complicate the colony building process, but it could ensure these individuals would be able to return to Earth.

    A 100 years from now, we could start another species of human, adapted to low G living. They would not be able to go to Earth or Venus, but could travel the rest of the solar system with less difficulty than Earth-born humans.

  20. Don’t need to put mirrors on Phobos. First off, the effect on the surface on Mars would be negligible. Instead, just put some mirrors around your settlement. Typical sunlight on Mars would be like on Earth on a cloudy day. A couple mirrors is all that’s needed for good plant growth, although you’d probably use red LEDs for optimal growth anyway. Then your plants can be at any depth, safe from various radiation.

  21. The biggest problem with long-term stays on the Moon and Mars is the lack of gravity: “When I read Zubrin’s book The Case For Mars, I was so intrigued by this surprising omission that I consulted a friend who is a space medic at JSC. He tells me that this issue was once discussed at a conference of medical doctors who had actually worked with the long-term residents of Mir and ISS. NONE of these experts thought that humans could adapt permanently to Mars gravity!” See: http://www.spacedaily.com/news/oped-05zzb.html

  22. The biggest problem with long-term stays on the Moon and Mars is the lack of gravity:When I read Zubrin’s book The Case For Mars” I was so intrigued by this surprising omission that I consulted a friend who is a space medic at JSC. He tells me that this issue was once discussed at a conference of medical doctors who had actually worked with the long-term residents of Mir and ISS. NONE of these experts thought that humans could adapt permanently to Mars gravity!””See:http://www.spacedaily.com/news/oped-05zzb.html“””

  23. The biggest problem with long-term stays on the Moon and Mars is the lack of gravity:

    “When I read Zubrin’s book The Case For Mars, I was so intrigued by this surprising omission that I consulted a friend who is a space medic at JSC. He tells me that this issue was once discussed at a conference of medical doctors who had actually worked with the long-term residents of Mir and ISS. NONE of these experts thought that humans could adapt permanently to Mars gravity!”

    See:

    http://www.spacedaily.com/news/oped-05zzb.html

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