Refuge Sphere Lunar Village: A Modular Superconducting Habitat Architecture for Permanent Lunar Bases and Beyond — Technical Design Document v1.0
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Complete technical design document for the Refuge Sphere Lunar Village — a permanent lunar base architecture based on interconnected superconducting spherical modules providing exact B = 0 magnetic shielding (Meissner effect, REBCO tape) and E = 0 electrostatic shielding (Faraday cage). Phase 1: seven spherical modules (hub Ø5m + six peripherals Ø3–5m) deployed via seven Starship launches, base for 8–10 crew. Phase 2: large central hub Ø10m assembled in situ using commercial REBCO superconducting tape, expanding to 20–30 persons, total habitable volume ~735 m³, 8 total launches. Key advantages over NASA Artemis, ESA Moon Village, and toroidal shielding concepts: no excavation required; exact B = 0 (vs B ≈ 0 of toroids); lunar thermal cycle exploited as cryogenic asset; modular scalability; dual use as habitat and emergency shelter. Direct application to Mars surface bases — eliminates underground placement entirely. Includes mass budget, launch analysis, internal habitat design, cryogenic architecture, REBCO tape winding strategy, repair/maintenance concept, and comparison with existing concepts.
Author: Titimali, Enrico
Language: English
Subfield: Aerospace Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7159066904
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