5:15 PM - 7:15 PM
[AOS14-P06] Proposal for the establishment of a space development base in the lunar vertical hole "Mare Tranquillitatis Hole"
~A self-sufficient plan to colonize the moon~
Keywords:moon, Mare Tranquillitatis Hole
The Moon, which currently orbits Earth as a shared asset of humanity, holds enormous potential from many perspectives. From a natural science viewpoint, its low-gravity and low-pressure environment is expected to drive breakthroughs in science and technology. From a humanities perspective, its unique setting may give rise to entirely new cultures and educational paradigms.
Against this backdrop, we propose the development of a new lunar base designed to serve as a “waypoint for the next phase of space exploration.” Because the Moon’s gravity is only about one-sixth that of Earth’s, launches from the lunar surface can be performed with significantly lower energy, enabling it to act as a staging post for transporting materials from Earth to more distant destinations. In our vision, the base will accommodate 150 residents.
We have selected the Mare Tranquillitatis Hole—a vertical cavity discovered near the equator of the Sea of Tranquility—as the base location. This site offers a more stable environment than the lunar surface by maintaining an appropriate temperature (around 17°C) and providing natural protection from radiation and meteorite impacts. JAXA’s “UZUME Project,” which focuses on this vertical cavity, further supports the feasibility of our proposal. Within the cavity, a multi-story structure will be constructed using metal components produced by 3D printing.
The materials required for constructing the base—both the metals for the structure and the oxygen needed to support life—will be produced by decomposing lunar regolith (via molten salt electrolysis) and other oxides found on the Moon’s surface. We plan to develop a small-scale regolith decomposition device initially, with the potential to scale up based on the results.
To supply electricity, we propose using two types of solar power. The first is the Space Solar Power System (SSPS), in which a satellite collects sunlight and transmits the generated energy to a receiving antenna on the lunar surface via microwaves. The second involves deploying solar panels along the lunar equator, ensuring a consistent daily energy output regardless of the Sun’s position.
Water is also expected to be present on the Moon. In the polar regions, where the solar altitude is low, water may remain in craters without evaporating. Additionally, analyses of lunar meteorites have revealed the presence of a substance called “moganite.” Although composed of silicon dioxide like ordinary rock, moganite is known to form only in the presence of water. The discovery of moganite—the first of its kind found outside Earth—suggests that subsurface water may exist on the Moon.
With this integrated system, we aim to establish a self-sufficient lunar society that is as independent from Earth as possible.
In planning for a community of 150 residents, we took inspiration from Antarctic expeditions, resulting in the following personnel allocations:
• Infrastructure/Life Support: 40
• Researchers: 25
• Construction/Development: 25
• Education/Culture: 20
• Security: 15
• Leaders: 10
• Entertainment: 15
• Helpers: 10
• Children/Elderly: 30
We also propose overlapping roles to maximize efficiency: 15 people will be responsible for both infrastructure and construction, 10 will handle both research and education, 10 will manage both life support and security, and 5 will cover both culture and entertainment. Due to the extreme environment, we allocate more personnel to life support and security than would typically be assigned in an Antarctic research team. Moreover, our operational model encourages direct communication between residents and leadership, adopting a discussion-based decision-making process inspired by the Nordic democratic system. This approach ensures that all working-age members take responsibility for the community’s survival and operate collaboratively with minimal restrictions.
Against this backdrop, we propose the development of a new lunar base designed to serve as a “waypoint for the next phase of space exploration.” Because the Moon’s gravity is only about one-sixth that of Earth’s, launches from the lunar surface can be performed with significantly lower energy, enabling it to act as a staging post for transporting materials from Earth to more distant destinations. In our vision, the base will accommodate 150 residents.
We have selected the Mare Tranquillitatis Hole—a vertical cavity discovered near the equator of the Sea of Tranquility—as the base location. This site offers a more stable environment than the lunar surface by maintaining an appropriate temperature (around 17°C) and providing natural protection from radiation and meteorite impacts. JAXA’s “UZUME Project,” which focuses on this vertical cavity, further supports the feasibility of our proposal. Within the cavity, a multi-story structure will be constructed using metal components produced by 3D printing.
The materials required for constructing the base—both the metals for the structure and the oxygen needed to support life—will be produced by decomposing lunar regolith (via molten salt electrolysis) and other oxides found on the Moon’s surface. We plan to develop a small-scale regolith decomposition device initially, with the potential to scale up based on the results.
To supply electricity, we propose using two types of solar power. The first is the Space Solar Power System (SSPS), in which a satellite collects sunlight and transmits the generated energy to a receiving antenna on the lunar surface via microwaves. The second involves deploying solar panels along the lunar equator, ensuring a consistent daily energy output regardless of the Sun’s position.
Water is also expected to be present on the Moon. In the polar regions, where the solar altitude is low, water may remain in craters without evaporating. Additionally, analyses of lunar meteorites have revealed the presence of a substance called “moganite.” Although composed of silicon dioxide like ordinary rock, moganite is known to form only in the presence of water. The discovery of moganite—the first of its kind found outside Earth—suggests that subsurface water may exist on the Moon.
With this integrated system, we aim to establish a self-sufficient lunar society that is as independent from Earth as possible.
In planning for a community of 150 residents, we took inspiration from Antarctic expeditions, resulting in the following personnel allocations:
• Infrastructure/Life Support: 40
• Researchers: 25
• Construction/Development: 25
• Education/Culture: 20
• Security: 15
• Leaders: 10
• Entertainment: 15
• Helpers: 10
• Children/Elderly: 30
We also propose overlapping roles to maximize efficiency: 15 people will be responsible for both infrastructure and construction, 10 will handle both research and education, 10 will manage both life support and security, and 5 will cover both culture and entertainment. Due to the extreme environment, we allocate more personnel to life support and security than would typically be assigned in an Antarctic research team. Moreover, our operational model encourages direct communication between residents and leadership, adopting a discussion-based decision-making process inspired by the Nordic democratic system. This approach ensures that all working-age members take responsibility for the community’s survival and operate collaboratively with minimal restrictions.