Lunar Surface Habitat Configuration Assessment: Methodology and Observations

The Lunar Habitat Configuration Assessment evaluated the major habitat approaches that were conceptually developed during the Lunar Architecture Team II Study. The objective of the configuration assessment was to identify desired features, operational considerations, and risks to derive habitat requirements. This assessment only considered operations pertaining to the lunar surface and did not consider all habitat conceptual designs developed. To examine multiple architectures, the Habitation Focus Element Team defined several adequate concepts that warranted the need for a method to assess the various configurations. The fundamental requirement designed into each concept included the functional and operational capability to support a crew of four on a 6-month lunar surface mission; however, other conceptual aspects were diverse in comparison. The methodology utilized for this assessment consisted of defining Figures of Merit (FOMs), providing relevant information, and establishing a scoring system. In summary, the assessment considered the geometric configuration of each concept to determine the accessibility to the lunar surface and the complexity of unloading, handling, mobility, leveling, aligning, and mating to other elements. In theory, the assessment was designed to derive habitat requirements, to determine potential technology development needs, and to identify risks associated with living and working on the lunar surface. Although the results were more subjective than objective, the assessment provided insightful observations for further assessments and trade studies of lunar surface habitats. This overall methodology and resulting observations will be described in detail and illustrative examples will be discussed.