Researchers have put forward a novel design for Mars habitats: retractable, pressurized tunnels that could connect surface modules. The concept aims to address critical challenges of long-duration stays on the red planet, including radiation exposure and dust storms.
The proposal comes as NASA and China's national space agency both plan crewed Mars missions in the coming decades. NASA's Moon to Mars architecture envisions using Artemis Program infrastructure to send crews to Mars in the 2030s or 2040s, culminating in permanent research habitats.
Pressurized tunnels would allow astronauts to move between habitat modules without donning spacesuits, reducing airlock use and conserving resources. The retractable design could also shield against micrometeoroids and regulate internal temperature, according to the team's modeling.
If adopted, such tunnels could accelerate the timeline for establishing a sustainable human presence on Mars. They would also reduce the mass and complexity of surface equipment needed for early missions.
The concept remains at the proposal stage and has not been selected by any space agency for further development. Engineering hurdles include material durability under Martian temperature swings and micrometeorite impacts.