NORTH STAR LUNAR HABITAT
Tomas A. Diaz
Arch 607
Fall 2025
Marcel Erminy
WHY THE MOON?
We are going to the moon, and we are going there to stay.
This statement, as part of the NASA Artemis Mission, highlights humanity’s next step in space exploration. We are making a commitment to exploring outer space to contribute to the benefit of all humanity.
Architects are needed in this field, and their contribution and collaboration with off-planet mission teams are a CRITICAL part of mission success.
WHY THE MOON?
KEY FINDINGS
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2
The space economy is forecast to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035, up from $630 billion in 2023 and growing at an average of 9% per year. Well above the growth rate of global GDP.
Five industries – supply chain and transportation; food and beverage; defence; retail, consumer goods and lifestyle; and digital communications – will generate more than 60% of the increase in the space economy by 2035.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
1
Hazard Protection
Protection from radiation, micrometeoroid impacts, and lunar dust.
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3
Habitability Zones
Zones for: food & water storage, eating, socialization, entertainment, privacy, sleep, recreation, waste management, medical care.
Adaptable
Ability to expand and reconfigure according to changing needs and demands.
4
Scalability
Ability to scale and cluster pods to form a larger community.
PROJECT GOALS
Establishing Best Practices 1 2 3 4
Standardization and Reference
Informing Trade Studies and Decision-Making
Catalyzing Innovation and Collaboration
METHODOLOGY
METHODOLOGY
METHODOLOGY
LOCATION
OCEANUS
PROCELLARUM REGION
NORTH POLE
SOUTH POLE
MARIUS HILLS
SUBREGION
NORTH POLE
SOUTH POLE
LOCATION
MARIUS HILLS LAVA TUBE PIT
https://www.nasa.gov/solar-system/nasas-lro-finds-lunar-pits-harbor-comfortable-temperatures/
LOCATION FACTS
MARIUS HILLS LAVA TUBE PIT
1
Stable temperature of 17°C (~63°F).
The temperature on the lunar surface ranges from about +127°C (260°F) during the day to –173°C (–280°F) at night.
2
Protection from radiation and micrometeoroid impacts.
1.4 tons of micrometeoroids daily, with impact velocities averaging between 10 km/s (~22,000 MPH) and 20 km/s, (~45,000 MPH).
LOCATION FACTS
MARIUS HILLS LAVA TUBE PIT
High potential of resources in equatorial maria sites.
HABITAT PROGRAM
https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/2022-04-08_nasa-std-3001_vol_2_rev_c_final.pdf
CONSTRAINTS
CONSTRAINTS
CONSTRAINTS
DESIGN
NORTH ELEVATION
T.O. Cap
NORTHWEST SECTION
STRUCTURE
DETAIL & EXPLODED AXONOMETRIC
FLOOR ONE
FLOOR TWO
FLOOR THREE
FLOOR FOUR
STUDY
HYGIENE
1. PRIVATE CREW QUARTERS
FUTURE PHASING BLOCKS
