Lunar LOTUS Lightweight and Optimized Transportable Utility Shelter
Mobile Exploration Base Traversing the Lunar Surface
This mobile shelter allows crew members to search for exploration sites and habitable locations while operating far from the landing site. It plays an active role prior to the construction of permanent habitation hubs. The realization of crewed pressurized rovers enables activities far from landing sites without the need to wear extravehicular activity (EVA) suits, but physical space and supplies remain limited. Since polar and equatorial regions are separated by vast distances, unexpected conditions may arise. Pressurized rovers tow multiple cabins and carry structural components for transport. Cabins plug into the shelter, allowing for functional expansion, upgrades, and connection in series. Resembling a caravan traversing a lunar Silk Road with Earth in view, Lunar LOTUS is a lightweight, optimized, transportable multifunctional shelter.
A Simplified Shelter for Functional Expansion and Upgrades via Modular Cabins
The exterior envelope utilizes panels made by bonding weldable frames made of duralumin to high-tensile sheet materials made of CFRP and, in some areas, FRP, allowing rapid assembly on-site with minimal operations. The shelter and cabins are interconnected by structural expansion joints that ensure complete water- and airtight integrity. Once deployed, they can be permanently secured via electron-beam welding (EBW) in a vacuum.
Plug-in Architecture
LOTUS is an updatable, metabolism-oriented architecture. Centered around a crewed pressurized rover, it can expand its capabilities by plugging in various peripheral cabins. When maintenance is required or newer technologies are developed, cabins can be entirely replaced or upgraded to rejuvenate the system.
The habitation zone is protected by a double-skin envelope; the outer skin captures natural light from above, while the inner skin transmits this diffused light through its canopy, creating an energy-efficient, bright interior.
Linkable Architecture
Using multiple cabins, LOTUS units can be connected in series to expand the interior volume. This allows the habitation space to be partitioned into pressurized and unpressurized zones depending on mission needs.
Mobile Architecture
LOTUS is a dynamic, mobile architecture. All exterior structural components are folded for rapid deployment with minimal steps and can be stored inside cabins for transport.
Like a caravan traversing a lunar Silk Road, LOTUS travels across the desolate lunar landscape.