DIANA - Dedicated Infrastructure and Architecture for Near-Earth Astronautics

Abstract

The Dedicated Infrastructure and Architecture for Near-Earth Astronautics (DIANA) is an autonomously deployable lunar base concept for a long-duration crewed mission on the Moon's surface. It will be robotically constructed in proximity to the De Gerlache crater ridge on the lunar South pole. The base, which accommodates four astronauts with a planned 2030 arrival, enables scientific operations and local sorties for human and robotic exploration. Furthermore, its self-sustainability will increase over its lifespan. The base will be transported in a compacted form and expanded to a habitable volume by autonomous deployment after reaching the lunar surface. The multilevel base encompasses all possible habitation needs including, but not limited to, dedicated private and communal spaces, technical support systems and a greenhouse. To establish and operate the base, the following subsystem concepts are crucial. The electrical power system consists of solar panels and a regenerative proton exchange membrane fuel cell using water electrolysis for power storage. Thermal insulation and adequate temperatures are provided through a closed water loop system, radiators and the use of regolith, the latter further providing radiation shielding. The environmental control and life support system initially relies on a high technological readiness level physico-chemical approach. Over time, it will progress towards a biologically closed loop system through the implementation of a greenhouse for food production and in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU) for water and oxygen harvesting. ISRU is essential in supplying astronauts not only with life support, but also with a large variety of construction material leading to increasing self-sustainability and long-term cost effectiveness. The communication system uses a Low Lunar Orbit communication relay satellite constellation and the Lunar Gateway. DIANA also offers a phased antenna array for radio interferometry on the far side of the Moon to perform observations of the universe.

Description

Denis Acker, University of Stuttgart, DE
Elizabeth Gutierrez, University of Stuttgart, PE
Adrian Pippert, University of Stuttgart, DE
Nadine Barth, University of Stuttgart, DE
Julienne Böttger, University of Stuttgart, DE
Madison Diamond, University of North Dakota, CA
Alma Kugic, Vienna University of Technology, HR
Javier Palacios Calatayud, University of Cadiz, ES
Prishit Modi, University of Stuttgart, DE
Vincent Krein, University of Stuttgart, DE
Sajeel Ahmad Khan, University of Stuttgart, DE
Hubert Gross, Rzeszow University of Technology, PL
Tim Lukas Kirsch, Technical University of Berlin, DE
Olaf Drozdowski, Gdansk University of Technology, PL
Filip Szyga, Warsaw University of Technology, PL
Dominik Gentner, University of Stuttgart, DE
Stefania-Denisa Bocu, University POLITECHNICA of Bucharest, RO
Elena Lopez-Contreras Gonzales, Massachussetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, ES
ICES506: Human Exploration Beyond Low Earth Orbit: Missions and Technologies
The 51st International Conference on Environmental Systems was held in Saint Paul, Minnesota, US, on 10 July 2022 through 14 July 2022.

Keywords

Astronautics, Astrophysics, Human Spaceflight, ISRU, Lunar Base, Space Architecture, Space Exploration, Space Robotics, Space Station, Scientific Operations

Citation