Life on the moon
Life on the moon
reality or utopia?
Registration
The registration takes place via RWTH Online and is possible from March 1st. Further information about the registration process can be found in our FAQ.
All students can register for one module. You can specify two preferences. Please use the numbers “1” and “2”. If you have not been assigned a place in the project after the end of the assignment and are still interested in participating, please contact sibel.yildirim[@]ipw.rwth-aachen.de directly.
(If you have any problems with the registration or with RWTHonline, please contact Mrs. Sibel Yildirim (IPW), also stating your matriculation number: sibel.yildirim@ipw.rwth-aachen.de)
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Academic Responsibility
Division of Mineral Resources and Raw Materials Engineering
Institutsleiterin
Chair and Institute for Advanced Mining Technologies
Institutsleiterin
Dr. Alexandra Radl
Senior Engineer at the Institute for Advanced Mining Technologies, RWTH
Contact Person
Fynn Grünwald
Schedulue
Start
22.10.2025
Time
Wednesday 16:30-18:00
Place
Raum
Contents
Many government space agencies and private space companies are planning missions to the moon. Unlike previous missions, the aim is no longer simply to reach the moon’s surface, but to establish a long-term presence there. Will life on the moon become a reality, or is this merely a utopian dream? During the event, this topic will be examined from the perspective of technical feasibility, taking into account various process steps, from raw material extraction to the construction of a habitat, as well as from the perspective of legal, political and social aspects. You will have the opportunity to participate in discussions on these topics and contribute your ideas for the construction of a habitat on the moon’s surface as part of a challenge.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to…
…describe the framework conditions for establishing a long-term presence on the moon’s surface from a technical, legal, political and social perspective.
…discuss the challenges involved in establishing a long-term presence on the moon’s surface.
…develop a simple approach for establishing a habitat on the moon’s surface in a group.
Program
The programme for the event is divided into two phases. The first phase will address various aspects of the topic, while in the second phase, students will have the opportunity to develop their own concept for establishing a habitat on the surface of the moon as part of a workshop.
Phase 1:
22.10.2025
Introductory event
29.10.2025
In-Situ Resources Utilisation (ISRU) – Introduction (tbd)
05.11.2025
Raw material extraction in space (AMT)
12.11.2025
Transport processes in space (AMT, MoonAixperts e.V.)
19.11.2025
t.b.a.
26.11.2025
03.12.2025
Digital planning methods for automated construction (ICOM)
ISRU from a legal, political and ethical perspective (Dr Franziska Knur, DLR)
Phase 2:
17.12.2025 – 21.01.2026
Challenge work phase
04.02.2026
Closing event and presentation of results
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)
