MOBILE RESEARCH STATION FOR EXPLORATION OF MOON (MORSEM) : A PRELIMINARY DESIGN FOR LUNAR HABITAT

A lunar exploratory base seems to be a logical and essential step for Human space exploration, not only because humans have visited it before or because of its close vicinity, but to understand and gather knowledge about living on another celestial body and set Moon as an example for colonizing Mars at a later stage. Permanant basecamp limits humans from traveling long distance thereby reducing the capability of humans in exploring Moon completely. Being limited with rovers and only short EVAs will not be sufficient. The aim is not only to explore the surface and help in the colonization of Moon. This paper proposes a Preliminary design of MObile Research Station for Exploration of Moon (MORSEM) that shall enable humans to perform all the research activities and practice living on Moon. This work will elucidate all the required habitat systems for future Lunar exploration of humans to establish a mobile habitat module that shall help in accessing remote locations easily and effectively. Usage of mobile habitats will not only help humans in exploring the Moon at a faster rate rather it will make them nomads of the Moon and help increase the probability of finding and establishing better understanding of various locations on Moon. Novel ideas and innovative technological setup shall be utilized considering the budget constraints for human exploratory missions. The mobile habitat will consist of all the facilities as the permanent settlement habitat base in terms of power, water storage, sleeping pods, living room, kitchen etc.