Foster + Partners has unveiled a visionary project for lunar infrastructure: a 50-meter-tall solar energy tower designed for the Moon’s south pole. Created in collaboration with NASA and Branch Technology, the tower aims to establish a sustainable power and communications network for future lunar missions. The innovative structure expands from a compact base, rising into the atmosphere with cord-like scaffolding, while its sail-like solar panels unfold to optimize energy capture.
Presented at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., as part of the From Earth to Space and Back exhibition, the project highlights cutting-edge advancements in space architecture. This initiative falls under NASA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I program, supporting pioneering designs for extraterrestrial habitation. The exhibition, open until April 13th, 2025, showcases Foster + Partners’ ongoing research into lunar and Martian settlements.
Norman Foster, the studio’s founder, emphasized the broader impact of space technology on Earth, stating that sustainable construction methods developed for space could revolutionize building practices worldwide. The Earth to Space festival also features contributions from leading architectural firms, including inflatable lunar habitats by SOM and a data-storage system by BIG. As NASA prepares for future moon landings, these architectural innovations could play a crucial role in shaping the next era of space exploration.
Courtesy of FOSTER + PARTNERS