Conceptual Structural Design of a Pressurized Inflatable and Deployable Habitat Optimized for Lunar Surface Missions

Inflatable and deployable structures are increasingly recognized as a promising solution for long-duration missions on the Moon and beyond. This study addresses the conceptual design and preliminary assessment of a pressurized habitat intended for lunar surface deployment. Three geometric configurations have been evaluated in terms of mass efficiency, stress distribution, and habitability. The fabric restraint shell, made of aluminized Kapton Kevlar (AKK) and sized with a safety factor of four, was combined with a carbon-fiber-reinforced floor designed to support astronaut loads and internal equipment. The cylindrical configuration proved the most suitable option due to its reduced structural mass, modularity, and ease of deployment. A finite element model was developed to investigate static pressurization and thermal loads, confirming structural adequacy with acceptable stress and displacement levels. A digital habitability analysis using anthropometric mannequins further validated the spatial configuration. Finally, a dynamic inflation analysis with LS-DYNA has been done in order to capture the stress-strain evolution.