Mars Lava Tube Pressurization Project (MLTPP)
The Mars Lava Tube Pressurization Project’s (MLTPP) efforts approaches the establishment of base facilities on the Moon and Mars via naturally occurring lava tubes to serve as habitable zones for human exploration and settlement. By providing a naturally occurring means of protecting inhabitants from dangerous levels of radiation and undesirables; lava tubes also offer future explorers a way to greatly reduce the time, resources and effort needed to initially construct safe and practical habitat and other pressurized support facilities such as greenhouses and maintenance enclosures. Another advantage of this approach is that it reduces the amount of construction materials required to be placed in orbit and then relocated on a lunar and/or martian surface.
Currently, 4th Planet Logistics’ objective is an evaluation of the practicality of pressurizing terrestrial lava tubes directly by creating atmospheric barriers that utilize the lava tube’s naturally occurring regime as a primary or secondary structural shell. This approach will involve the use of 3D printable, locally derived, geological materials and complementary robotic assembly techniques.
Conceptual renditions, Lava Tube Habitats
Courtesy of Architect Dmitry Zhuikov, MLTPP Advisory Board Member
Visit zaarchitects.com for additional images
Route a Climb on Olympus Mons
Michael Chalmer Dunn M.A. M.Phil., Founder / Director 4th Planet logistics
To all my friends and other contacts in space exploration, mountaineering or related support and imaging roles at NASA, JPL, SpaceX or other organizations; as well as those who know me and are involved in decision-making for major outdoor gear companies or advanced material providers; I’d like to extend a personal invitation to become involved in our effort to establish a climbing route to the summit of Olympus Mons.
If you think you might like to help us generate attention and support for future manned Mar’s Missions through exposing the general public and outdoor crowd to the excitement and adventure of visually climbing the highest known mountain in the solar system please leave a comment or contact me directly.
Michael Chalmer Dunn
Project supported by Mafic Studios.
Education Outreach
Our educational outreach programs are headed by Dr. Ardice Hartry who is a founding member of the 4th Planet Logistics Advisory Board. For information on current or upcoming projects related to our educational outreach efforts please feel free to contact Dr. Hartry directly for more information.
Ardice Hartry, Ph.D., has conducted research in science education for more than 15 years. Much of her work has been funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), NASA, and NOAA. One of her current studies involves helping experts communicate about science to the general public. Another current study evaluates how NASA mission engineers can best encourage design thinking in young adults (with a focus on missions to Mars). Ardice has worked closely with scientists at the University of California, Berkeley (among other institutions) in writing successful proposals to federal agencies and private foundations. In addition, Ardice is an enthusiastic traveler, having visited over 115 countries. She has two children, both who have inherited the desire to engage wholly in this and other worlds.
Robotics
Our robotics Advisory Board effort is led by Francis Grovers III and supported by the 4th Planet Field Resources Group.
Robot applying pressure barrier sealant to lava tube interior walls.
(Courtesy of Jonathan Fosdick, MLTPP Board Member, Nanotechnology)
Lunar Lava Tube image and MLTPP concept sketches by Board Member Martin Gasser produced during one of our initial concept design discussions in 2016.
Sci-Tech
4th Planet Logistics has undertaken a joint research effort in conjunction with the University of Bristol (U.K) to examine advanced materials and engineering processes associated with the sealing and pressurization of lava tubes. Jonathan Fosdick, 4th Planet’s sitting Advisory Board member for nanotechnology and material development acts as our liaison between the MLTPP project and the university. While the effort does function under a mutual NDA, Jonathan remains available to answer non-IP related inquiries concerning the status of this undertaking.
Professional Papers
The professional papers listed in this document are ongoing. Therefore, it should be considered a “Living Document” and will grow as research furthers related to lava tube on Earth, the Moon and Mars. If you’d like your research, related to lava tubes, added to this document , please Contact us.
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