University of Michigan Moon to Mars eXploration Systems and Habitation (M2M X-Hab) 2026 Academic Innovation Challenge: Lightweight Actuated Tunnels for Crewed Habitation, Recommendations for an Active Pressurized Tunnel System for Functionality on the Martian Surface

NASA’s Artemis campaign is a critical milestone in long-term human space exploration and it seeks to establish a continuous presence on the lunar surface and prepare for eventual human Mars exploration [1]. Continuous human presence on Mars requires frequent crew transit between localized surface assets, including habitats, rovers, and ascent vehicles. Without anything to facilitate pressurized travel in between these locations, crew movement between locations would demand astronauts conducting Extravehicular Activities (EVAs), an extremely time-consuming and complicated process.

To eliminate the operational burden of repeated EVAs, the Moon to Mars eXploration Systems and Habitation (M2M X-Hab) 2026 Academic Innovation Challenge features a project titled “LATCH: Lightweight Actuated Tunnels for Crewed Habitation” [1]. The project calls for the development of concepts for a “lightweight pressurized tunnel system” which can “provide active positioning and berthing between crewed surface assets on Mars” [1]. The deliverables for the project are full CAD models of the proposed system, as well as a prototype demonstrator of the tunnel and actuation system, along with its control software. The Bioastronautics and Life Support Systems (BLiSS) team at the University of Michigan has worked on this project to develop concepts of a lightweight actuated tunnel adapted to work in a Mars environment.