Hybrid Robotic Habitat for Lunar Exploration

Abstract

During the summer of 2004, several studies were conducted in the Advanced Projects office at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) related to the development of walking habitats for lunar exploration. This work included conceptual designs for a walker based on existing technology for the robotics as well as the International Space Station (ISS) hardware for pressurized modules; engineering simulations for the overall architectural configuration and mission architecture development; preliminary designs for the pressure vessel and shielding using new composite technologies (as opposed to aluminum); and, ongoing development of computer models containing mass statements for various architecture options. This paper provides a brief summary of some of the key findings from these studies, and identifies areas for future work that will lead to more robust lunar exploration architectures in the future. In conclusion, it is recommended that lunar walking technology be developed for future exploration missions and that polyethylene and carbon reinforced polymer composite materials be used to develop lightweight structures and space environmental shielding.