SELENE: A Self-Sustaining Lunar Base Proposal for 2070

As humanity returns to the Moon through the Artemis missions, establishing a permanent presence on its surface is becoming a tangible goal.1 However, challenges such as extreme radiation and the high cost of resource transport from Earth remain formidable.2 In response to the 2024 Space Station Design Workshop (SSDW) mission to design a fully operational lunar base by 2070, this presentation introduces SELENE, Team Weiss’s vision for a self-sustaining base located at the Moon’s South Pole, near the peaks of eternal light. SELENE integrates an In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) 3 facility for lunar regolith processing, multiple launch/landing pads, and a hybrid settlement system featuring overground pressurized modules and underground 3D-printed structures.4 The underground section includes farming and forest modules that support a closed-loop Life Support System (LSS), ensuring a self-sustaining ecosystem that meets physical and psychological needs.5 This proposal emphasizes a holistic approach to lunar development, balancing technical subsystem needs with a human-centered design. The habitation modules are designed to enhance crew well-being, creating a functional and supportive environment for long-term habitation. SELENE aims to serve as a model for sustainable lunar exploration, paving the way for future missions to Mars and beyond.