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Prolonged confinement on the Moon or Mars places design priority on Human Factors. A crater provides a naturalistic environment both reminiscent of “home” and integral to its exotic setting. An agricultural zone on the crater floor allows constant visual contact with growing plants as well as a central social milieu that is readily available and observable to living spaces along the crater wall. Use of imported construction material is minimized.

A cross-discipline approach is undertaken to establish, in a small lunar crater, a permanent domed oasis which optimizes human factors. A satellite first performs global mapping prior to site selection. It will transfer to lunar-stationary orbit and transmit power to the base via laser beam to drive equipment and illumine the long lunar night. Tele-robotic operations minimize risk during heavy construction prior to occupancy. A coring penetrator tunnels habitats in the crater wall which allow an elevated outlook towards the agricultural interior ground plane. A sustained trial period monitors controlled plant growth prior to the introduction of other life forms.