{"id":1222,"date":"2020-12-23T09:46:20","date_gmt":"2020-12-23T01:46:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sepiadesign.com\/?p=1222"},"modified":"2025-06-26T18:34:58","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T10:34:58","slug":"schmidt-presents-lunar-research-base-in-aiaa-webinar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sepiadesign.com\/newsepiasite\/schmidt-presents-lunar-research-base-in-aiaa-webinar\/","title":{"rendered":"Schmidt Presents Lunar Hotel & Research Base in AIAA Webinar"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hong Kong, <\/strong>19 December 2020 ————– Founder and Managing Director of Sepia Design Consultants Limited<\/em>, architect Thomas Schmidt<\/a><\/strong> presented his award-winning Lunar Research Base concept in an International Space Architects Conference<\/strong> webinar, hosted by the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics<\/em> (AIAA)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A rotating “sun tracker” at the center of the surface facilities converts incoming horizontal rays of sunlight from the site’s lunar southern pole location into power, and bounces natural light down to underground Agropods below. A lunar hotel is proposed with Earth views to cater to the burgeoning space tourism industry.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Underground core habitat areas revolve around multi-story Agropods that receive reflected and filtered sunlight from above; habitation units are located with Earth views along an opening in the crater rim to maximize human comfort and well-being.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A Hotel on the Moon?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Schmidt’s second-generation lunar research base concept proposes a modular facility nestled into the rim of a crater located at the lunar south pole. He maintains such a site can take advantage of consistent temperatures, sunlight exposure, and water deposits — while maintaining constant Earth views due to the Moon’s synchronous rotation with that of Earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Schmidt’s lunar habitat concept received a Technical Feasibility and Elegance Award <\/a>from the AIAA in 2011, and has been subsequently refined over the past decade. While responding to a detailed facilities program, the facility is based on an interlocking hexagonal modular construction system. This could be constructed from a “kit of parts” fabricated at a first-generation lunar automated manufacturing facility. He reasoned this would minimize transportation requirements from Earth and simplify the assembly process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Human Touch<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

While responding to the technical and logistical requirements, there was a human element that took precedence. Schmidt commented, “I was specifically concerned with human comfort and the well-being of residents who might be stationed there for one to two years.” <\/em> This resulted in a facility planned with occupied spaces revolving around transparent plant-filled Agropods and views of the Earth from the underground habitat areas. Schmidt added, “not unlike a posting to Antarctica, I would imagine there would be tremendous psychological benefits from offering residents views of nature and the Earth.” <\/em> He speculated,“people there need the ability to prepare home-cooked meals from locally-grown produce, and even a chance to water and tend for plants in one’s own quarters.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Global Participation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This international virtual gathering of space architects, researchers, and space enthusiasts was moderated by Professor Madhu Thangavelu<\/strong> of the University of Southern California, and included compelling presentations from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n