Invited Paper: Home Away From Home – A Habitat For Humans On The Moon

Paper number

IAC-07-E5.4.01

Author

Mr. Rakesh Sharma, Indian Air Force (first Indian Cosmonaute), India

Year

2007

Abstract

With renewed interest in Planet Earth’s nearest neighbour, it is a matter of time before humans will be required to work in and operate from the Moon’s (relatively) hostile environment.

Our earlier experience from the Apollo programme was obtained against a different brief and so, apart from an understanding of the technological challenges required to commute to and from that destination, very little else remains relevant by way of the re-use of past knowledge.

It shall be necessary to study and prepare strategies that shall enable the sustenance of a growing numbers of professionals in the lunar environment. This will entail a study of the activities that will be required to be conducted on the lunar surface and, from that understanding, arrive at a short list of various work processes and related work environments that will be needed to support planned activities in chosen areas.

Typically, a multidisciplinary approach will need to be taken and challenges relating to Closed Loop Life Support Systems with emphasis on waste re-cycle solutions, Energy and Materials - Creation and Management etc..

The paper seeks to examine the various issues that will need to be tackled vis-à-vis Programme Collaboration, International Co-operation, Resource sharing, Psychological challenges that shall be faced by the workforce operating out of that environment and, other such seemingly unrelated topics, which shall have a profound effect on the efficiency and therefore, viability of human activity undertaken on the lunar surface.

The author has examined the subject by drawing from his personal experience, gained as a member of an International space crew that undertook an eight day Indo-Soviet near earth orbit mission in April, 1984. 

Abstract document

IAC-07-E5.4.01.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-07-E5.4.01.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.