Lunar Inflatable Habitation System
Musso, G; Lamantea, M.; Buffa, D
Thales Alenia Space

The actual ESA funded "Habitation System Study" is specifically addressed on further defining the conceptual layout and specific aspects of an inflatable lunar surface habitat system.
This study is concentrated mainly on non-mission specific aspects such as the definition of the conceptual layout and specific issues of an inflatable lunar surface habitat system.
In particular the aspect of protecting the crew from the radiation is addressed. The developed radiation protection concept derives from a former investigation addressing the solution to cover the module using sacs filled with lunar regolith. This concept has been assessed mainly considering the capability of the inflated modules to withstand the necessary layer of regolith and conceiving the preliminary technical design and production of the bags as well as the operational aspects of transporting, filling and putting the bags in place once the habitat is in its final location.
The preliminary configuration of the inflatable habitat has been designed to be compatible with the NASA LSAM as it is known today (landing capability, size, etc.). System aspects including internal configuration, structural and architectural elements have been considered for both launch/landing and operative aspects. In particular the internal configuration has been analysed and preliminary designed considering the elements necessary for hosting four crewmembers for up to one year and the implication deriving from having a small volume at launch and a larger volume to be outfitted on the lunar surface. The achievement and the criticalities of the study that will be presented are part of a larger set of investigations performed in the frame of the feasibility phase of the Inflatable Habitat programme.