CONCEPTUAL IDEA

Base Objectives

The Moon Loop base will focus on two main targets:

1. Sustainability and self-sufficiency

• Produce sufficient energy using solar light, and using exercise machines of which the crew members have to use at least 2 hours daily.

• Utilize greenhouses to produce sufficient food for 6 crew members in the lunar base.

• Reuse all the resources in a closed-loop system, where little to no waste will be produced.

2. Fungi use on the moon

• Use fungal composites to create a biological shield that protects against radiation.

• Grow fungal composites and investigate their possible uses in the lunar base.

Greenhouse module inspiration: the water bottle symbolizes energy source. Similarly, the greenhouse will provide the crew the nutrients and energy they need to live on the moon (Stefan)

Greenhouse Module

The greenhouse module will host areas for plant cultivation, gardens, and growing fungi. In order to maximize the integration of the greenhouse in the lunar base, the greenhouse modules will connect the habitat modules together; allowing the crew members to interact and connect with plants. This would support the psychological health of the crew, and allow them to feel at home.

Habitat Module

Because of the pressure levels, curved structures are preferred on the moon for their pressure resistance. Keeping in mind the launcher dimensions limitation, Chuck Hoberman‘s concept of a twisting structure inspired the habitat modules of the lunar base. Hoberman‘s twisting structure unfolds a cylinder to a sphere, which allows the structure to fit in the launcher when folded, and then unfolds the structure to a sphere that would host the different habitat functions.

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN ASPECTS Biological Shield

The Moon Loop will use fungi composites creating a bioreactor shield that can protect against radiation and self-repair when needed. For future research, scientists can consider extracting the melanin pigment that the fungus uses to convert gammaradiation into chemical energy, and incorporate it into the spacesuit fabric or other materials.

Solar Power For Energy

Using available sunlight is the most common form of ISRU and has been employed on spacecraft for many decades. The Moon Loop base will use solar panels to harness sunlight to power the lunar base and its facilities.

Exercise For Energy

The Moon Loop will utilize crew’s exercises to produce energy and provide an extra power source. A device used to realize this is Free Electric Bike that can produce 200 watts per hour.

Circulation of water (blue) and air (gray) throughout the module and the biological shield (Stefan)

The greenhouse uses plants to scrub carbon dioxide while providing food and oxygen (Enaam)