Pressurized lunar lava tubes for habitation

Lava tubes are subterranean tubes that form as a result of lava flows and extend for long distances beneath the surface of a planet. They are a naturally occurring feature of Earth’s Moon. For decades these cave systems have piqued the interest of researchers, not just for their geological complexity, but also for their potential as a future human habitation site on the Moon. The internal environment of lunar lava tubes promises a benign alternative in comparison to the harsh lunar surface; they provide natural protection from radiation, micrometeoroids, and extreme temperature fluctuations. This thesis furthers the study of lunar lava tubes by presenting the possibility of pressurizing them with breathable air. Using a 2D ANSYS simulation model, a range of lava tube sizes are subjected to varied magnitude of internal pressurization. It is ultimately concluded that it is possible to pressurize a small lava tube while maintaining its structural integrity.M.S.Includes bibliographical reference