Yet, life on the moon presents its own unique set of challenges. From navigating extreme temperature fluctuations to managing limited resources, everyday life requires innovative solutions tailored to the lunar environment.
As we convene for DesignMeets: Designing for Lunar Life, we focus on designing solutions that address the practical realities of everyday lunar life. Through collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to overcoming challenges, we can ensure that life on the moon (and other planets) is not only possible but thriving.
Speakers
Kavya Biswas M.Eng
Kavya Biswas is an interplanetary ethics expert at NASA, where she plays a vital role in advocating for ethical space exploration. With a background in environmental engineering and bioethics, Kavya is dedicated to addressing the environmental challenges that come with human expansion into space.
One of her main focuses is the preservation of Martian ecosystems as preparations for more permanent settlements on Mars progress. Kavya and her team blend advanced technologies with ethical guidelines to ensure that exploration is carried out responsibly, minimizing environmental impact.
Kavya's journey began with notable achievements in the Lunar settlements, where she led efforts to protect the lunar environment. Her team developed the Emergency Nanoswarm Sanitization Kits (ENSK), affectionately known as “moon goop.” These kits utilize nanoswarm technology to efficiently sanitize habitats, and they have become a cornerstone of contamination control on the Moon.
Her team emphasized education and awareness, making sure lunar residents understood the importance of environmental preservation. A significant part of this effort was a communication campaign aimed at children, featuring “Nanny,” the lovable microbe-killing nanoswarm. With the slogan “when in doubt, nanobots out!”, the campaign successfully taught young Moon residents about the principles of sanitization and environmental care.
Dr. Luis Flores
Luis Flores is a pioneering psychiatrist specializing in beyond-Earth mental health, working as a researcher at the MIT Artemis Base Campus on the Moon. Luis is at the forefront of addressing the unique mental health challenges faced by individuals living and working in extraterrestrial environments.
Understanding of the psychological strains associated with space colonization, Luis has dedicated his career to solving the issue of mental health on the Moon. His groundbreaking work includes the development of the Synaptuner, a neural implant capable of monitoring neurotransmitter levels in the brain and synthesizing more as needed.
The implant operates by connecting a cartridge of raw materials to a neural link feeding port, allowing for precise and individualized delivery of 12 different neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine. These cartridges come in different "flavours" tailored to suit various brain chemistries, ensuring that each person's unique needs are met. Luis's team’s innovative use of machine-learning algorithms enables the implant to detect and correct potential mental health issues before they escalate, providing proactive care and intervention.
This sophisticated system is monitored via an app integrated into the neural implant, offering users real-time insights and control over their mental health. Additionally, the implant features an opt-in mechanism for the de-identified transmission of health data. This data is used to continually refine and train the machine-learning algorithms, improving the system's effectiveness for all users
Charlotte Lau
Charlotte Lau is the founder of Civis Lunae, a non-profit organization focused on promoting community-centric, democratic governance on the Moon.
In the early days of lunar settlement, communities were managed by appointed administrators. However, as the population has grown, the need for democratically elected officials has become more evident. Seeing this need, Charlotte started Civis Lunae to help develop democratic processes in the lunar settlements. These communities, with their small populations and highly specialized residents, face unique challenges in establishing democratic institutions. There are few career politicians on the Moon, and most elected positions are part-time roles filled by residents who contribute to their communities in various professional capacities.
Civis Lunae offers resources, guidance, and support for running lunar election campaigns. The organization assists candidates in creating political platforms and leverages generative AI to develop campaign materials, helping candidates communicate their ideas effectively.
One notable feature of its services is its neural implant app, which is available for both the Apple Thought Pro and Google Cyborg. By scanning a candidate's brain, the Civis Lunae app can help generate a political platform that aligns with the candidate’s values and beliefs. This ensures that elected officials represent their constituents' interests authentically.
Charlotte’s work with Civis Lunae supports the growth of democratic governance on the Moon. Her efforts help foster a more inclusive and representative structure, enabling lunar residents to take an active role in shaping their communities. Through Civis Lunae, Charlotte Lau is contributing to a future where lunar colonies thrive under democratic principles, ensuring that all residents have a voice.