DARPA begins study of a revolutionary infrastructure to set itself on the Moon

To live permanently on the Moon, it is necessary to rethink many things, be it in terms of technology or in terms of travel. Everything has to be optimized to the maximum and to achieve this, DARPA, in coordination with NASA, is launching an integrated lunar infrastructure project called Luna-10. Ten, like the number of years, she considers necessary to develop specific technologies for this lunar infrastructure. While several companies work separately on different elements of this type of station, DARPA wants them to collaborate in the equivalent of a consortium so that all of this development is optimized and linked together. The project is based on three pillars: mobility, energy and communication. For mobility, the idea is to optimize the logistics and movement of objects and people on the surface of the lunar body as much as possible, but also in relation to the lunar orbit. In terms of energy, DARPA is looking for ways to integrate wireless energy transmission systems into other technologies, in order to make the infrastructure completely self-sufficient. On the other hand, the production of energy by nuclear fission is not envisaged.

in search of independence

DARPA also emphasizes that the project has no military purpose. Finally, communications technology will also need to handle communications well on the Moon’s surface, in orbit, and to and from Earth. This interweaving of technologies would have to be able to manage construction, mining, medicine, science, communication systems and many other fields at the same time. The ultimate goal is to make this lunar base completely self-sufficient, either technologically or economically. DARPA is seeking three-page resumes from companies by Sept. 6 to select those who will be able to write white papers and technical presentations.