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A recent NASA workshop examined systems and concepts that might enable the future safe and productive human exploration of Mars. The workshop emphasized planetary protection (PP)issues-protecting Mars from forward contamination during exploration, protecting astronaut health during the mission, and protecting Earth from back contamination upon return. A range of critical design and operational considerations were identified including mitigation procedures and equipment; human health and life support needs; mission tasks and schedules; equipment and operations for laboratory, habitat, life support, exploration, sampling and sample integrity needs, and sample; and back contamination controls and procedures for the return to Earth. The workshop report includes findings and recommendations that are likely to affect the design and cost of advanced life support systems for long duration human missions to Mars.

The most notable aspect of the Lunar and Martian environments is the lack of a substantial atmosphere. Atmospheric pressure on the Moon is essentially zero, and is very low on Mars. Support of human occupancy requires an internal atmosphere and, therefore, the most efficient structure is an inflatable tensile membrane. A generic inflatable module is proposed as an efficient and functional structure for a Lunar/Martian base. Each module consists of thin membranes supported by a framing system composed of cylindrical arches and columns. The framing system maintains the module shape and supports the deflated module. Three options for the framing systems were evaluated. Membrane sleeves filled with structural foam, rigid members made of either titanium or graphite/epoxy composite, and pressurized membrane tubes were evaluated. The pressurized membrane tubes were found to have the lowest mass and be sufficient for supporting the structure.

Structures for use on the Moon and/or Mars face similar requirements and design criteria despite the differences in the corresponding environmental conditions. In both cases, the internal pressure is the dominant load and, therefore, the structure is a pressure vessel. A generic inflatable module is proposed as an efficient and functional structure for a lunar/Martian base. Each module consists of thin membranes supported by an inflated framing system. Module characteristics, including component dimensions, membrane thicknesses and overall mass, are presented.

Exploration of the Moon is the most crucial and decisive step toward human expansion into the vast reaches of space. The Moon is the natural and ideal testbed for determining human capability to survive, function, expand and settle into the space environment. Scientific studies, astronomic observations, and exploitation and utilization of space resources culminating in the establishment of a self-sufficient permanently human-tended lunar base are the goals of lunar exploration. Four development stages in the evolutionary exploration of the Moon are suggested: (1) exploratory; (2) pioneering; (3) outpost; and (4) base. Overall goals and specific objectives, functional requirements, construction conditions, and life support systems requirements needed in each stage are identified.