The evolution to sustainable habitation on the Lunar surface presents an array of challenges, from the technical, administrative, and operational. A phased approach to using increasingly sustainable elements includes three types of habitats — class 1, 2, and 3. Class 1 habitations include rigid and unchanging element structure. Class 2 habitations include deployable or expandable elements on the lunar surface. Class 3 habitats incorporate in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) to bolster or form the outpost's element(s). The proposed outpost will primarily utilize a hybrid of class 1 and 2 habitat types. The team's approach intends to show an evolution of habitat types on the lunar surface by defining scientific objectives, research, and technical drivers, with inspiration from existing habitats in low-Earth orbit. The project will utilize habitat designs the team created considering sustainability, standardization, expandability, and relocatability. Focus was given to the concept of operations of a habitat design that is applicable across several targeted landing sites. The team further considered risk mitigations to ensure the best chance of crew survival, science survival, and mission success.
Testi et al. (Sun,) studied this question.