Chinese researchers study design measurements for lunar buildings

Chinese researchers are working on a set of proposed design measurements for future buildings on the moon.

On Earth, architects use design guidelines and common measurements for buildings, from ceiling heights and aisle widths to doorframe dimensions. According to the researchers, those measurements might be drastically different on the moon.

"Buildings on the moon and on Earth will certainly be different, and the differences will be huge," Han Chengping, a professor at the School of Architecture and Design at the China University of Mining and Technology, told CGTN recently in Beijing.

One of the biggest differences between the moon and Earth is gravity. Gravity on the moon's surface is about one-sixth as strong as gravity on Earth.

"People's way of moving, their behavior, and their body dimensions inside such buildings will be different," Han said.

Those differences mean future lunar living could benefit from a new set of reference measurements, which Han's team hopes to develop.

For now, the team has calculated a possible height for steps in lunar buildings. The team's estimate is roughly twice the height of a typical step on Earth. Han said the estimate takes into account not just how high people might be able to step in lower gravity, but also how well they can maintain their balance.

The team says developing such measurements is difficult, as lunar conditions are hard to simulate on Earth. The measurements would also need to be tested on the moon.

The team hopes that developing such proposed guidelines could provide reference measurements for future lunar buildings. "To make future living and working spaces on the moon safe, comfortable and efficient. " Han said.

Han presented the team's research on common dimensions for lunar buildings at the recent International Astronautical Congress in Türkiye.