The Moon Camp will be composed of several modules (each serving a distinct purpose) where people could live. There are two honeycomb shaped modules. Each of them is separated into five sections.  Those sections can be isolated from each other and provide research rooms, living quarters for astronauts (sleeping, leisure) and sports equipments like a treadmill.

The big round module which connects the two honeycombed modules is the communication centre providing a connection to Earth and robotic lunar rovers on the Moon’s surface and contains a giant garden, where fruit and vegetables are grown.

The Moon base also has a station for the lunar rovers where they are stored and charged. The purpose of the rovers is to look for life on this natural satellite. Finally, there is a launch pad where rockets can land take-off. The rocket works automatically and it is traveling between earth and the moon to send supplies for the astronauts on the moon. In addition to that the moon camp has two observatories.

Our Moon Camp will be built next to the Shackleton crater, located in the southern hemisphere of the moon at the lunar south pole. Unlike other parts of the moon, which experience two weeks of sunlight and two weeks of darkness, the area around the Shakleton crater receives constant sunlight. This allows solar panels fitted to the moon camp to receive a steady stream of sun rays and power the camp without needing to rely on battery storage. A secondary reason for building the moon camp near the crater is the moderate temperature around this area.

As we want to protect the moon camp and bury it under the lunar soil, the first challenge will be to dig a giant hole into the ground. To build the lunar camp is by far not easy to manage. To begin with we have to bring huge machines and technical equipment from earth. Afterwards we could use for example a 3D printer to print blocks of lunar soil for the walls of the moon camp. We shaped the living spaces hexagonal because it is a very strong shape and fills space efficiently without wasting space between the sections.

Despite the inherent dangers of the moon environment, our moon camp is equipped to protect the astronauts. The camp is buried 10 meters below the surface, which provides a natural shield from harmful UV-radiation and X-Ray beams emitted by the sun during eruptions. At this depth, the base is also protected from the blistering heat of the sun when the moon’s surface is facing the sun. In addition, the camp is safe from meteors. By being buried below the moon’s surface, our camp provides astronauts with a safe location to live.

Like astronauts stationed at the ISS, also the crew at the moon camp has to recycle their water. In order to stay hydrated astronauts have to recycle their urine and sweat. A system of filters and chemical reactions is needed in order to enable this eco-system. Furthermore the ice water on the moon could be detected from the craters and reused for further water supply.

To begin with food must be brought from earth. Algae can be used later on for producing oxygen as well as feeding our crew. The big plant breeding room in the center of our station should be a connection between the astronauts habitats and a common food and air generator.

We mounted solar panels around our moon camp which should generate the electricity we use for our moon camp. The solar panels can be rotated to assure their energy efficiency.

With the electrolysis of water we can supply oxygen for astronauts. As mentioned above the allgaes and plant breeding rooms are further important resources to provide air for humans. Another interesting approach is the extraction of oxygen from lunar soil.

The primary reason for bringing astronauts to the moon is to broaden humans minds and enhance the scientific knowledge of the universe.

The astronauts will research the lunar soil to discover the structure of the moon and learn about its history. Since there is no other human activity on the moon or any artificial light, the astronauts have an improved ability to monitor the cosmos and detect stars, planets, and galaxies. They can also use telescopes stationed in the moon camp to detect meteorites or asteroids on an Earth-bound trajectory. In the future, when the Moon Camp has an established presence, additional use cases can be found for it. For example, it could be used to attract tourists to the moon. The money earned from tourist tours can be used to fund additional advancements to the camp such as the purchase of additional scientific equipment.

07:00 – wake up and workout

08:00 – prepare breakfast by squeezing food out of a bag and print new food from the 3D printer for lunch

09:00 – have a call with earth about the weeks research schedule

10:00 – system maintenance so that the moon camp is able to sustain life

12:00 – eat the 3D printed lunch with a crew member

13:00 – repair broken equipment

17:00 – 20:00 – training and workout

20:30 – eating dinner with the crew

21:30 – calling the family on earth and write something in the moon camp diary