MOON LAVA TUBE HABITAT DESIGNS -FROM THE THIRD SPACE ARCHITECTURE CONTEST IN JAPAN

摘要

Space architecture is the newest creative expression in our human culture. It combines extreme engineering challenges for inhospitable environments with new freedoms such as variation in gravity fields and the creation of structures and forms impossible on Earth. Also, space architecture is extremely challenging with the need to develop new processes and construction methods to use on-site resources for facilities needed in deep space, planetary activities and habitation. Over the next century space architecture will evolve from simple and utilitarian engineering structures to new monumental forms and iconic structures which capture the spirit of the expansion of human culture and creative expression into the Solar System. Japanese general construction companies have developed and refined the concepts and engineering R&D for space hotels, lunar bases, and Mars bases since the 1990's. Although the pace of these activities has slowed down since 2000, it has become active again in recent years. And now several general construction companies have developed ISRU systems and other technologies under the JAXA planetary open innovation hub. In this circumstance, a new Space Architecture Organization for research activities and TNL, space Architecture students' circle based on Tokai University which has space architecture department only in Japan, were established in 2014. An annual Space Architecture Contest and Award Program has been started as a STEAM activity in addition to research activities since 2014. The theme of the third space architecture competition was "UZMARCH", which is the acronym which combines UZUME, (Unprecedented Zipangu Underworld of the Moon Exploration), and Architecture. To construct a moon habitat to make best use of lava tube on the moon is to use special geography and moon environment and ISRU. This paper will introduce the winner's lunar habitat and discuss moon habitats using lava tubes.