exploring the technical and economic feasibility and social and legal implications of establishing a commercial entity and the first interplanetary hotel on the lunar surface in the early 2030s
- Paper number
IAC-18,A5,1,9,x47368
- Author
Mr. Mina Takla, Russian Federation, CosmoX
- Coauthor
Dr. Sebastian Hettrich, Germany, Max-Planck-Institut für Meteorologie
- Coauthor
Dr. Abigail Calzada-Diaz, Luxembourg, ispace, Inc
- Coauthor
Mr. Mclee Kerolle, United States, Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC)
- Coauthor
Dr. Nabil Parwez, Australia
- Coauthor
Mr. Camilo Andrés Reyes Mantilla, Colombia, Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC)
- Coauthor
Ms. Efstratia Salteri, Germany, Mars Academy USA
- Coauthor
Mr. Andrea Barzon, Russian Federation, Moscow State Institute of International Relations (University)
- Coauthor
Mr. Werner Grandl, Austria, Architect
- Coauthor
Dr. Ilaria Cinelli, Ireland, National University of Ireland Galway
- Coauthor
Ms. Suranjana Trivedy, India
- Coauthor
Mr. Zoe Mbikayi, Russian Federation, Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University, MAI)
- Year
2018
- Abstract
As the International Space Station (ISS) approaches the end of its operational life after 2028, a Lunar outpost is becoming a priority for major space agencies around the globe, spearheaded by ESA's Moon Village. However, establishing a project this scale would require tremendous government funds and could trigger serious legal implications, should it not be studied and implemented carefully. On the other end of the spectrum, major private space businesses, such as SpaceX, Blue Origins, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Bigelow Aerospace are developing the necessary infrastructure for sending humans to, and establishing interplanetary, sustainable human settlements on, the Moon, Mars, asteroids, and beyond in the next few decades. The private sector has helped national space agencies set more ambitious plans to explore deep-space and is paving the way for a sustainable human presence on habitable planets and moons within our Solar System. As a result, if the global private space sector plans to keep this momentum going in regard to space settlements, then it is essential that the technical components, economic aspects, and social and legal implications of such an endeavor be considered. Accordingly, this paper proposes a disruptive business case for space tourism and explores the feasibility of a novel engineering endeavor, establishing a commercial entity and the first interplanetary hotel (Centauri - Lunar Hotel Alpha) on the Lunar surface by the 2030s. The first and second chapters of this paper feature designs of the proposed lunar settlement and evaluate contemporary and futuristic technological systems/subsystems needed to build and maintain the Lunar Hotel to ensure sustainable human presence on the Lunar surface for space tourists, scientists, explorers, and miners. Following this section, this paper then investigates legal issues pertaining to the United Nations Treaties and Conventions, and socioeconomic implications. Consequently, the Lunar hotel will serve as a test-bed for future Mars exploration and settlement, act as a gateway to the solar system, and support — through its Research and Development activities and funds — humanity’s long-term vision of expanding out into the solar system during this century and reaching Centauri star systems in the next couple of centuries. In conclusion, this paper will present ways in which the Lunar Hotel could democratize access to space, expand the global space economy by introducing a nascent market in the space industry, strengthen international cooperation among space industry stakeholders at all levels, and serve as a test-bed for future planetary exploration missions.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-18,A5,1,9,x47368.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.