ABSTRACT
The Space Exploration Initiative (SEI) instigated by President Bush in 1989 heralded a renewed interest in the establishment of viable platforms on which human beings could live and work in space and our neighbouring planets. The Russian Space Station Mir continues to be occupied for long periods by cosmonauts and recent missions by the US Space Shuttle have concentrated on adding new docking devices for the connection of new facilities and easy access by a variety of space vehicles. Another initiative is the International Space Station which is to utilise the collaborative technology and resources of many nations. The next stage in space exploration depends largely on the appropriation of sufficient budgets from governments and international space exploration organisations which have become conscious that such substantial funds must be underwritten by the future economic benefits gained from commercial activities in space. Much detailed work has already been carried out in this field involving detailed design, prototype manufacture, and concept proving that has enabled those involved to discuss confidently issues related to ‘when’ we occupy other planets rather than ‘if’. Several separate organisations have been exploring a diverse range of techniques for the establishment of sustainable shelters, primarily on Mars or the Moon. The Lunar programme is the most advanced,
neighbour and therefore accessible in a relatively short travel time of about three days. Since humans have walked upon its surface it is also the planet about which we know most and it has therefore been possible to determine the tasks that would take place on the planet’s surface and select possible habitation sites.
