Author Description

This fascinating 1968 report describes the results of a study of a semi-permanent lunar surface observatory, called Moonlab. Many unusual aspects of a moonbase are explored, including a futuristic take on astronauts for the mission: "Another more remote possibility is that the people pool will contain "modified people"; that is, at a later extremely mature stage of MOONLAB people who have had extensive conditioning, either psychological, physiological, or both, will be available for particular tasks not easily accomplished by normals." PART I - DESIGN CRITERIA AND PROGRAM EVOLUTION * CHAPTER 1 - DESIGN SUMMARY * MOONLAB Site * Evolution * Scientific Instruments * Personnel * Life Support and the Lunar Farm * Shelter * Power and Communications * Mobility * Lunar Exploitation * Weight and Cost * CHAPTER 2 - OBJECTIVES AND BENEFITS. * advantages and Disadvantages * CHAPTER 3 - FACTORS INFLUENCING BASE DESIGN * Site Selection * Study Assumptions and Guidelines * Physical Conditions of the Lunar Surface * Site Certification * MOONLAB Hard Design Criteria * CHAPTER 4 - MOONLAB EVOLUTION 1970-1985 * MOONLAB Evolution Programs * MOONLAB Evolution Costs * Economic Considerations * Cost Factors Significantly Affecting the Design of MOONLAB * PART II - MOONLAB JANUARY 1, 1985 * CHAPTER 5 - SCIENTIFIC MISSION ACTIVITIES * Physical Sciences * Lunar Atmosphere * Selenodesy (Geodesy) * Selenology * Selenochemistry * Selenophysics * Particles and Fields * Remote Observation of the Earth * Astronomy * Technology * Biological and Biomedical Research * Behavioral Science Research * Agricultural Science Research * Personnel * CHAPTER 6 - PERSONNEL * General * Personnel Selection * Group Formation Criteria * Group Members * Group Characteristics * Training * MOONLAB Organization * Daily Schedule * CHAPTER 7 - LUNAR BASE LAYOUT AND DESIGN * Spatial Requirements * Evolutionary Spatial Requirements * Steady State Requirements * Internal Spatial Requirements ("I") * Transitional Spatial Req