Research projects are one of the main reasons Lunar Homestead exists. There is so much we need to figure out before permanent human settlements on Luna (or anywhere else besides Earth) become a reality. And very few people are actually working on finding the answers.
Lunar Homestead was conceived to be EVERYONE’S way to participate in the permanent settlement of space. The vast majority of us won’t ever work for NASA or another government agency. We won’t work at SpaceX or some other space corporation. We have had very few options to actively participate, besides public outreach and trying to influence politicians.
Lunar Homestead is YOUR chance to conduct real, valuable research. Research that could determine how and when we see the first permanent Lunar settlement. Even if you personally aren’t “bending metal”, you can help those that are. Ideas, suggestions, contacts, money, resources. These are all vitally important if we want to see forward progress.
- You don’t have to be employed or trained as a scientist. In fact, it might be better if you’re not. Many of the solutions we need will require “out-of-the-box” thinking. Non-scientists and non-engineers are more likely to come up with something new, clever, and crazy. Just what we need.
- You don’t have to conduct experiments to have a huge impact. Finding out what’s already been learned on a certain topic and gathering all the information and sources in one place is also research. All you need is access to the Internet, curiosity, and time. Your contributions can go a long way towards putting actual technology “on the shelf” for future Homesteaders.
- You don’t have to own a fancy lab to conduct research. Small scale is the key. Small, but critical, experiments can be conducted in a garage or shed or on a table in the corner of the room.
Right now, we have far more questions than answers. Sure, there are A LOT of good ideas out there. But very few of them have actually been researched. Very little of the technology our Homesteaders need is actually “on the shelf” at this moment. That’s the goal of Lunar Homestead.
Call to action
Want to be actively involved in Lunar Homesteading research?
- Join the LH Crew – Help support our research and education efforts.
- Help with us with our research – Pick something we’re already working on and be a part of making it happen!
- Start your own research project! – Got an idea that you want to explore? Let Lunar Homestead help!
- Get involved in the community – Share your ideas and thoughts. Maybe learn something new!
Current Lunar Homestead research projects
- Shielded Pressurized Oxygen Resource Extraction (SPORE) – A new way to mine Lunar resources AND create habitable space on the Moon (and elsewhere). I’m currently working on this
- Cast Iron Habitat Pressure Hull – The hypothesis is that Lunar iron can serve as the primary construction material for Lunar Homestead habitat pressure hulls.
- Manual Universal Power Supply (MUPS) – Homesteads need power, both electrical and mechanical. The MUPS project aims to use human power to do useful work (crush rock, generate electricity, etc.) while providing much needed exercise. MUPS units also need to be designed so they can be built and maintained using only locally available resources.
Pending Lunar Homestead research projects
- Oxygen-Iron Extraction – Possible tech needed to extract oxygen and iron from Lunar basalt. There are a lot of potential options and we need to figure out which to research first. Currently on hold until I get to the point where I can grind basalt gravel into a fine powder.
- Cast Basalt Habitat Pressure Hull – The goal of the Lunar Cast Basalt Habitat Pressure Hull Research Project is to determine if cast basalt can be used as the pressure hull material for Lunar Homestead habitats. Right now this is on hold while I figure out if Lunar cast iron will work. My thought is that cast iron hulls will be easier to manufacture, assemble, and maintain than cast basalt hulls.
Completed Lunar Homestead research projects
None yet!