Plans for sustainable human presence on lunar surface require integration of diverse surface elements, pressurized and unpressurized, to support robotic and crewed operations. The University of Houston and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's proposal to assemble an inflatable multi-task tower on the moon was developed in response to the NASA BIG Ideas Challenge 2024. The challenge was to develop a novel inflatable structure that presented a solution for future space operations. This paper outlines major design aspects and novelty of the proposed Unique and Novel Inflatable Tower (UNIT), implementing advanced concepts through innovative design and deployment strategies on the lunar surface. Project development stages include computer generated design, detailed drawings development, inflation process analysis, scaled prototyping and proof of concept testing. Scalability emerges as a fundamental aspect of UNIT's design, allowing for adaptability to the diverse requirements of many missions. The tower concept allows for versatile integration of existing and new technologies and is designed for segmented deployment for scalability and flexibility. The tower's modular design enables scaling up based on operational needs, from communication and navigation to illumination. This flexibility facilitates the integration with Artemis LunaNet and/or establishment of a large-scale network of interconnected towers, each serving specific functions while contributing to broader goals of lunar exploration and settlement. UNIT represents a pivotal advancement in approaching lunar exploration operations by combining advanced concepts in inflatable structure technology and stabilization system design to allow for rapid deployment on challenging terrain. The tower will be built using materials best for inflation integrated with various hardware. A prototype of the tower will be evaluated through a series of verification tests, such as pressure, vibration, and stabilization testing. The paper concludes with evaluation of project life expectancy and cost efficiency. Projected to last 5-7 years, the lifespan of UNIT hinges on its designed resiliency with the environmental conditions it encounters. This lifespan estimation is based on the challenges of deploying and maintaining commercial-grade inflatables in extreme environments. UNIT's parameters such as size, weight, power needs, and technology readiness levels are being carefully considered to align with the goals of the Artemis program. Its inflatable deployment capability allows for swift establishment of lunar infrastructure, thereby streamlining mission timelines and resource allocation. The project's focus on cost-effectiveness ensures a balance between performance and expenditure, making sustained lunar exploration more feasible. Together, these attributes underscore UNIT's role in improving the quality, quantity, and cost-efficiency of mission outputs.

As humanity prepares for lunar surface operations and sustainable exploration of the Solar System, it is crucial to understand the psychological impacts of confined and isolated environments on astronaut performance. The Extended Reality Lunares Experiment (XRLE) is a collaborative effort between the Sasakawa International Center for Space Architecture (SICSA) and analog astronauts in the Lunares Research Base (M1.24 Pluto Mission) to study these effects through an innovative testing framework. The XRLE crew utilized biosensors, Virtual Reality (VR) headsets, and Extended Reality (AR) technologies within an analog lunar habitat's Extravehicular and Intraveicular Activity (EVA, IVA) area. They performed a hardware manipulation simulation with different levels of difficulty which involved an analog astronaut during simulated EVA, an experiment coordinator, and an analog mission control operator. A suite of biosensors was used to collect data on stress levels, focus, and task effectiveness. This research aims to validate a novel triple-layer human-system integration testing methodology developed at SICSA, incorporating survey-based assessments (NASA TLX, mSUS) and a biofeedback control layer using compact biosensor suites. Integrating Extended Reality (XR) technologies into traditional space testing platforms offers enhanced immersivity and real-time event generation capabilities. By combining physical hardware interactions with virtual simulations, this framework enables a more comprehensive evaluation of human factors and ergonomics during design iterations. The study will generate quantitative data from biofeedback monitoring, timed imagery, and video recordings, as well as qualitative insights from adapted usability surveys. This multifaceted approach allows for in-depth user performance analysis, stress levels, and hardware effectiveness. The XRLE experiment proposes an innovative framework for human-system integration testing using relatively inexpensive commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) immersive technologies. By validating this methodology, the space industry can optimize design processes, reduce research and development timelines, and unlock new capabilities for human-rated hardware development. Establishing industry standards for leveraging XR technologies in space applications is crucial as their utilization is projected to grow exponentially with new exploration endeavors like the Artemis program. This paper presents the results of the experiment, including its methodologies and the data collected.

This paper presents the research and design process for developing an inflatable tower-the Unique and Novel Inflatable Tower (UNIT)-in response to the NASA Big Ideas Challenge 2024. The challenge was to develop a novel inflatable structure that presented a solution for future space exploration. University of Houston and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University proposed a tower that aims to revolutionize lunar exploration, through the development of innovative, efficient, and cost-effective inflatable structures that enhance the sustainability of lunar infrastructure. UNIT represents a pivotal advancement in lunar exploration infrastructure. Designed as an inflatable tower, it serves as a key component to a larger communication network intended to address the issues of power, illumination, and communication latency. The concept of the tower is to allow for rapid deployment as well as segmented inflation for scalability and flexibility. It supports deployments of equipment that will be necessary for permanent settlement, including solar panels for emergency and network power, a communication antenna and illumination device. The tower supports future operations for Artemis mission's LunaNet; UNIT can seamlessly integrate into the large-scale communication system. The design of UNIT involves a core load integrated with a rigid structural element at the tower's base. This is coupled with a pulley system, ranging the length of the tower, which stabilizes the structure throughout the deployment process. The tower starts by deploying from the base and then moves up the tower in sections. There is a toroidal tank that sits at the base of the tower that distributes the stored air evenly allowing for consistent pressure, ensuring full stability and structural integrity. The tower will be built using materials best for inflation integrated with various 3D printed parts. Should the tower make it to the prototyping stage the design, structure and inflation will all be evaluated through a series of verification tests such as pressure test, shake table test and stabilization test. UNIT is a versatile infrastructure element for lunar exploration and a significant step towards creating a sustainable human presence on the Moon. By learning from its applications on the Moon, the tower is a steppingstone for the future Mars. The team hopes that the tower will successfully be deployed and operated for any necessary operations. In the ever-changing landscape, this tower can be utilized in many ways to help create a long-lasting human presence on the Moon and Mars no matter the goal.

Establishing a permanent human presence on the Moon is a crucial step towards becoming an interplanetary species and enabling further exploration of the Solar System. This paper presents a comprehensive design approach for the initial modules that will form the foundation of a lunar colony at the South Pole, accommodating the first crew of four astronauts. Our multidisciplinary team conducted an extensive study of historical literature and state-of-the-art human habitat designs to develop an innovative proposal tailored for lunar colonization. The proposed outpost is designed to evolve through distinct phases, utilizing four different module types: a Vertical Surface Habitat for the living environment, two distinct Horizontal Modules serving various functions such as laboratories, storage, and greenhouse, and an evolvable Node module that facilitates grid expansion and connection of additional modules. Leveraging 3D modelling tools, architectural design principles, and immersive virtual reality simulations, we consolidated our final design for the layout, structure, and interior configurations of these modules. The paper emphasizes the importance of incorporating hybrid modules from the outset of lunar colonization efforts. This hybrid approach, combining rigid and inflatable components, offers remarkable gains in terms of mass and volume optimization, which are critical factors for the initial human settlement on the Moon's surface. Through digital evaluation systems and trade studies, we demonstrate the significance of standardization and reconfigurability of internal usable volume within the modules. The hybrid design allows for efficient utilization of space while accommodating the evolving needs of the colony as it grows and expands over time. This work underscores the importance of hybrid module design for lunar colonization following the Artemis missions. Future research should focus on further optimizing the mass of these modules through advanced materials and construction techniques, as well as exploring additional configuration possibilities for the interiors of the horizontal modules to support a wider range of activities. The design presented in this paper is the result of a collaborative effort with the Sasakawa

This paper investigates the use of Extended Reality (XR) technologies, including Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR), in the iterative design and evaluation of lunar habitats. Conducted over a four-month period at the University of Houston's Sasakawa International Center for Space Architecture (SICSA) and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), the study aimed to create a comprehensive design process that incorporates surface operations scenarios (ConOps), evaluation methodologies, and human-centered design analysis. The research focused on a Surface Vertical Habitat, a Node Surface Module, and two Horizontal Modules designed by the LASERR team. By integrating VR into the design process, the study allowed for continuous monitoring and real-time feedback, providing detailed insights into habitat configurations, interior layouts, and operational scenarios from an immersive human perspective. The findings demonstrate that XR technologies can significantly enhance design validation, offering faster and more cost-effective methods compared to traditional approaches. This paper presents the results of the study, discusses the limitations of XR applications, and outlines future steps for advancing XR technologies in space habitat development.