A prototype inflatable habitat (not unlike, well, the bouncy castles and slides we all love) is to be tested in Antarctica in anticipation of a return to the Moon in 2020.
The prototype habitat, which is pressurized, has 35 square metres of living space and includes power and heat.
"It only takes four crew members a few hours to set up, permitting exploration beyond the initial landing area," Lockhart says.
The habitat is designed by ILC Dover, the same folks who produced the unique inflatable impact bags for the Opportunity and Spirit Mars rovers. Sometimes I wonder if there must be a contingent of Geekdads dreaming things up NASA. Both kids had the same reaction as their dad: "Can we get one of those?"
