Prospect and Feasibility of Lunar and Martian Lava Tube Sealing Technology

doi:10.3981/j.issn.2097-0781.2024.01.007

Abstract

Abstract:

The lava tubes on the Moon, Mars, and other extraterrestrial bodies have the advantages of radiation resistance, meteorite impact resistance, lunar/Martian dust protection, and great thermal insulation. Constructing a habitat base in the lunar or Martian lava tube is one of the feasible options for humans to stay in extraterrestrial bodies for a long time in the future. This paper investigates the feasibility of the lava tube sealing technology, which is one of the most basic technical problems in the construction of lava bases. The space seal structures and the rapid leak detection technique are discussed. Two lava tube sealing schemes are proposed. One is based on the independent and flexible gasbag, and the other is based on the coating treatment for the inner lava tube surface. The key technical problems that need to be solved are described. The development trend of the sealing technology is discussed, and future research in this field is suggested. This study will provide technical support the future deep space exploration and base construction in extraterrestrial objects.’

Key words: space sealing technology, lunar base, Martian base, lava tubes, space immigration, sealing coatings, sealing feasibility analysis

摘要：

月球及火星等地外天体上的熔洞具有抗辐射性、抗陨石撞击、防月/火尘和隔热保温性好等优点，利用熔洞建立居住基地是未来人类在地外天体长时间驻留的可选方案之一。文章探讨了熔洞基地建设中最基本的技术问题之一——熔洞密封技术方案的可行性；讨论了空间密封结构和快速检漏技术；提出了两种熔洞密封方案——基于独立柔性气腔的密封结构方案和基于熔洞内表面涂层处理的密封方案；提炼出了需要解决的关键技术问题，并对密封技术的未来发展趋势进行展望；给出本领域研究的发展建议，为未来深空探测和地外天体的基地建设提供技术支撑。

关键词: 空间密封技术, 月球基地, 火星基地, 熔岩管, 空间移民, 密封涂层, 密封可行性分析

QIU Jiawen, CUI Zhihe, HE Yanchun, WANG Jin, HUO Lixia, MA Dongtao. Prospect and Feasibility of Lunar and Martian Lava Tube Sealing Technology[J]. Science and Technology Foresight, 2024, 3(1): 86-99.

邱家稳, 崔致和, 何延春, 王琎, 霍丽霞, 马动涛. 月球及火星熔洞密封技术发展及其方案可行性研究[J]. 前瞻科技, 2024, 3(1): 86-99.

Figures/Tables 12

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涂装技术	原材料性状	存在的问题	可行性
气体压力喷涂	悬浊液	黏度受高低温影响大；真空或低气压下稀释剂挥发剧烈	真空或高低温下实施难度大，可行性差
高压无气喷涂	悬浊液	黏度受高低温影响大；真空或低气压下稀释剂挥发剧烈	真空或高低温下实施难度大，可行性差
（真空）静电喷涂	悬浊液	同上	同上
（真空）静电喷涂	固态粉体	聚合物粉低温下不易沉积与成膜；涂层需加热固化	需载气供应设备、加热设备等，载气消散速率高；高压静电发生器在月面工作机制不清，可行性差
火焰喷涂	固态粉体	需要燃气与助燃气产生火焰；涂层需加热固化	需燃气与助燃气供应设备、加热设备等；可行性较差
（真空）冷喷涂	固态粉体	粉体输送需要惰性载气；喷枪覆盖面积较小	需载气供应设备；粉体在高低温、月面岩石基体表面的沉积控制有待研究，具有一定可行性
（真空）等离子体喷涂	固态粉体	粉体输送需要惰性载气（或燃气与助燃气）；电源功耗非常高；喷枪覆盖面积较小	需粉体输送载气（或燃气与助燃气）供应设备、高功率供电设备；粉体在高低温环境中的沉积控制，燃气与助燃气在月面的燃烧行为，可操作性较低
（真空）电弧喷涂
爆炸喷涂

涂装技术	原材料性状	存在的问题	可行性
气体压力喷涂	悬浊液	黏度受高低温影响大；真空或低气压下稀释剂挥发剧烈	真空或高低温下实施难度大，可行性差
高压无气喷涂	悬浊液	黏度受高低温影响大；真空或低气压下稀释剂挥发剧烈	真空或高低温下实施难度大，可行性差
（真空）静电喷涂	悬浊液	同上	同上
（真空）静电喷涂	固态粉体	聚合物粉低温下不易沉积与成膜；涂层需加热固化	需载气供应设备、加热设备等，载气消散速率高；高压静电发生器在月面工作机制不清，可行性差
火焰喷涂	固态粉体	需要燃气与助燃气产生火焰；涂层需加热固化	需燃气与助燃气供应设备、加热设备等；可行性较差
（真空）冷喷涂	固态粉体	粉体输送需要惰性载气；喷枪覆盖面积较小	需载气供应设备；粉体在高低温、月面岩石基体表面的沉积控制有待研究，具有一定可行性
（真空）等离子体喷涂	固态粉体	粉体输送需要惰性载气（或燃气与助燃气）；电源功耗非常高；喷枪覆盖面积较小	需粉体输送载气（或燃气与助燃气）供应设备、高功率供电设备；粉体在高低温环境中的沉积控制，燃气与助燃气在月面的燃烧行为，可操作性较低
（真空）电弧喷涂
爆炸喷涂