Considerations for Realistic Lunar Excavation

Many authors have proposed methods to excavate lunar material and to construct lunar habitats. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the overwhelming degree of difficulty in preparing for and performing a lunar excavation. The authors identify typical procedures and problems faced by contractors while performing routine excavations on Earth and then suggest excavation techniques and equipment required to perform the same excavation under extremely adverse conditions on Earth. The incremental difficulty identified to perform excavation activities under adverse Earth conditions offers a means to realistically assess additional difficulty to be encountered on the Moon. Finally, the authors suggest practical considerations for excavation procedures and equipment for excavation within the lunar environment.