The Lunar Lighthouse: a Beacon of Safety and Psychological Comfort through Cellulose Application in Habitat Construction

Abstract

The harmful cosmic and solar radiation is the major challenge in constructing surface habitats on the Moon. Common solutions for protecting astronauts are to cover the base with a thick layer of regolith or place the habitat underground, in lava tubes. However, these approaches sacrifice the psychological well-being of astronauts by completely cutting off their connection to the outside environment. Therefore, the study was motivated by the need to develop a system of protection against radiation for a surface lunar base that would allow for the introduction of sunlight into the habitat. The objective was to discover a technical solution that would allow greater flexibility in designing the base shell structure, provide a translucent membrane, and guarantee the safety of astronauts. This paper discusses an approach to constructing lunar habitable structures based on soil reinforcement principles and biotechnology. The nano-cellulose membranes, grown in situ, are proposed as passive radiation shielding. Nano-cellulose is a light solid substance with exceptional strength and radiation protection characteristics. After certain processes, it becomes translucent, which is a big asset when considering the introduction of natural light to the habitat. Combined with lunar regolith, cellulose membranes form a composite system enabling the construction of stable vertical surface structures while minimizing material use and habitat footprint. Keywords: Space Architecture, Lunar Base, Radiation Protection, Biotechnology, Nano-cellulose