Interdisziplinäre Lehre: Meeting Global Challenges
Raw materials in space
In-Situ Ressource Utilization
Registration
Registration takes place via RWTHonline and is possible from 01.09.2026 to 04.10.2026. Further information on the registration process can be found in the FAQs.
All students can register for one course. You can specify two preferences. To do so, please use the ‘high’ priority and the one directly below it. For instructions, please click here. If you have not been allocated a place at the end of the allocation process and are still interested in participating in a course, please contact sibel.yildirim@ipw.rwth-aachen.de.
(If you have any problems with registration, please contact Ms Sibel Yildirim (IPW) at sibel.yildirim@ipw.rwth-aachen.de, stating your matriculation number. If you have any general questions about the course, please contact the person listed below.)
We welcome your questions and comments. You can contact us here! (The ‘Leonardo’ project is also on Facebook and Instagram).
Academic Responsibility
Faculty of Georesources and Materials Engineering, RWTH Aachen
Chair and Institute Advanced Mining Technologies, RWTH Aachen
Institut für Textiltechnik der RWTH Aachen University, RWTH Aachen
Contact Person
Fynn Grünwald
Schedule
Start
22.10.2026
Time
Thursday, 16:30 – 18:00 h
Place
UMIC_024 (2165|024)
Mies-van-der-Rohe-Str. 15, 52074 Aachen
Description
Many national space agencies and private space companies are planning missions to the Moon. Unlike previous missions, the aim is no longer simply to reach the lunar surface, but to establish a long-term presence there. Will life on the Moon thus become a reality, or is it merely a utopia after all? This joint, interdisciplinary course organised by TU Berlin and RWTH Aachen University examines this question both from the perspective of technical feasibility – taking into account a wide range of process steps, from raw material extraction to the construction of a habitat – and from the perspective of legal, political and societal aspects. You will have the opportunity to contribute to discussions on these topics and, as part of a challenge, to share your ideas for establishing a permanent human presence on the Moon.
Many national space agencies and private space companies are planning missions to the Moon. Unlike previous missions, the aim is no longer simply to reach the lunar surface, but to establish a long-term presence there. Will life on the Moon thus become a reality, or is it merely a utopia after all? This joint, interdisciplinary course organised by TU Berlin and RWTH Aachen University examines this question both from the perspective of technical feasibility – taking into account a wide range of process steps, from raw material extraction to the construction of a habitat – and from the perspective of legal, political and societal aspects. You will have the opportunity to contribute to discussions on these topics and, as part of a challenge, to share your ideas for establishing a permanent human presence on the Moon.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to …
- …to describe and contextualise the technical, social and architectural challenges of a permanent lunar base.
- …describe the framework conditions for establishing a long-term presence on the lunar surface from technical, legal, political and societal perspectives.
- …critically discuss the key challenges involved in establishing such a presence.
- …to approach complex space projects holistically and implement them in a solution-oriented manner through interdisciplinary teamwork.
- …and have acquired expertise in systems analysis, material selection, habitat design and socio-technical interfaces.
Program
22.10.2026
Provisional timetable:
- Introductory session
- Spaceflight: logistics and transport systems
- Artemis and European lunar missions
- The Moon’s formation and geology / raw materials in space (TU Berlin)
- Extraction of raw materials and transport processes in space (AMT, Aachen)
- Textiles and composite materials in space (ITA, Aachen)
- Structural systems in space (SLA, Aachen)
- Requirements for habitats (social and architectural aspects)
- Digitalisation and simulation of construction processes (Aachen)
- ISRU from legal, political and ethical perspectives (guest lecture, DLR)
- Work phase with supervision sessions
- Closing event with colloquium
Procedure/Working method
Depending on the course of studies, module and examination, credit points can be achieved through participation. If you would like to take an exam, please make sure beforehand how you can get credit for it in your degree program. Of course, you can also take exams without receiving curricular credit for them. Visit our FAQs for more information.
Certificate
Term paper (4 CP, graded)
