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In the Moon Camp project the design of a self-sufficient station will be drawn and the problems of habitability in the Earth’s satellite will get solved. The goal is to achieve that a group of selected astronauts can settle down in the base optimally with a scientific aim of solving the doubts and questions about the Moon.

It is intended to land in the area known as Oceanus Procellarum as it is in the near side of the Moon which makes it of easy access. Due to that area being a lunar sea, it is in a depression in comparison with the surrounding area which will be helpful in the proteccion from solar radiation.

The Moon Camp will have the shape a geodesic dome made up from aluminum edged triangles that later will be covered by a canvas made from resistant polymers. This pieces will be sent in modules in order to have an easy assembly on the Moon.

Water will be obtained by making use of the elements that can be found in the lunar regolith, which is the most abundant resource in the Moon’s surface, though the process of hydrolysis as the composition of the lunar soil is rich in oxides and hydrogen.

In order to obtain food, crops will be grown in a module separated from the habitability area but will share shape and structure with it. To achieve this soil with be brought from Earth, as it is rich in minerals and other substances that are beneficial for the growth of plants. Regolith, that is native to the Moon, will also be used to add mass and serve and structural function in the base.

Electricity will be obtained in micro-nuclear plants known as Kilopower stations that have been developed and tested by NASA. They produce between 1 and 10 kilowatts depending on the model and will have enough fuel to work all mision long without contaminating the area or requiring oxygen. The main advantage over its main competitor in the production of electricity in space, solar panels, is the lack of a need for a direct exposure to the sun and its many dangers, which are among many the deadly gamma rays and huge temperature changes from day to night.

Also the module where the vegetables are grown will be used for the production of plants whose main goal is the conversion of CO2 y O2 though the photosynthesis. These plants will be some of the most efficient at this task, also taking into account the growth period.

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The main problems found in the Moon are the solar radiation, the big temperature changes, the abrasive lunar dust, the lack of an atmosphere and the low gravity:

In order to be protected from the solar radiation the habitability structure will be made from a mixture of aluminum and polymers that effectively repeal the solar radiation. To avoid the drawbacks of the temperature changes the base will be located in an area of permanent shadow. Protection from the destructive solar dust will be achieved by making sure that all the mechanisms that are exposed to the exterior are completely closed and can’t be damaged. The lack of a breathable atmosphere will be solved by the use of oxygen tanks in the exterior and filling all the rooms in the base with Earth’s air. The main problem that low gravity poses is the muscle degeneration due to the low physical effort that life in the Moon requires, this will be solved by daily exercise.

They will wake up after having slept 8 hours and will do the morning tasks like eating a breakfast made using the products of their crops. Then depending on their schedule for that particular day they will do some exercise to avoid the muscular atrophy caused by the reduced lunar gravity. Then experiments thought by scientists all over the world will be conducted either in the work area allocated inside the module or in the exterior. They might need some resources from the Moon itself for which a specialized member of the crew will search for. Then they will have lunch in which they will valorate what has been done up until that point in the day and the remaining tasks.  In the afternoon maintenance and cleaning tasks will be performed. Finally the astronauts will have the possibility to have some free time and enjoy their stay in the moon after which the will eat dinner and then go to sleep prepared for the next day on the Moon.