Geotechnical Engineering Considerations for Extraterrestrial Infrastructure Construction

It is only a matter of time until space exploration enters a new phase that will include additional manned and unmanned landings and explorations on the Moon, Mars, and perhaps on asteroids. Detailed knowledge of the soils and rocks will be needed for the design of foundations for structures, for excavation and underground space utilization, for design of surface vehicles and construction of transportation systems, for evaluation of their suitability as construction materials and development of construction methods. In-situ resource utilization can be expected to play a major role in these activities owing to the high cost and difficulty in transporting needed materials from Earth. The extreme environments in which the work is to be carried out will complicate virtually every activity to be undertaken. Current knowledge about the rocks and soils on the Moon and Mars is summarized, with particular emphases on their compositions, geotechnical properties and in-situ states. Some implications for geotechnical engineering and foundation design are stated. Were it not for the unique and harsh environmental conditions, in addition to the great distance from Earth and its impacts on material transport and communications, engineering and construction on, in, and with the silty fine sandy soils of the Moon and Mars would be straightforward.