Examination of Smart Sandbags for Semi-Permanent Structures on the Lunar Surface

Development of the lunar surface will likely be a pivotal step in the emerging space economy. In recent years it has been confirmed that water is present in the polar craters of the Moon. The Moon is also rich in iron, titanium, and silicon; which may be mined with the appropriate lunar facilities. Motivation to erect a lunar base aligns with the NASA Artemis objectives for a human return to the Moon. In order to achieve Artemis objectives, bases must be erected in a manner that allows for flexibility and mobility. In this way, semi-permanent structures are an ideal mode for facilities to exist on the lunar surface. The optimal method to achieve these structures would be to utilize existing sandbag technologies to innovate lunar-appropriate bases. In the early stages of prospecting and open pit mining, there will likely need to be mobile pilot bases setup that need to perform in-depth evaluation and attempt pilot scale mining at different sites before permanent structures can be installed. We propose simple, multifunctional building blocks such as “smart sandbags” for constructing rapid, low-cost semi-permanent structures. Smart sandbags are filled with lunar-regolith and embedded with structure and impact sensors, and adopt a designed 3D customizable shape. The sandbags will be made of carbon fiber fabrics and integrated with silicone to combat the abrasiveness of lunar sand. Options for rigidization of the sandbags will also be explored with methods such as UV-cured resin or hydrogel. Innovatively designed features of our sandbag structures include the ability to be quickly assembled and disassembled, utilization of in situ resources, and effectiveness under a variable number of ground conditions. The semi-permanent structures are expected to provide shielding from collisions, radiation, maximize surface traction, and provide human habitat. Our studies show that the feasibility of the sandbag structure for use under different lunar surface conditions. Further in-depth investigations will need to be performed to quantify the potential improvement offered by sandbag structures over conventional brick laying and additive manufacturing.