A multi-objective multi-factor integrated method for comprehensive luna base site selection

Countries are now shifting from one-off lunar exploration missions to the establishment of a lunar base for long-term sustainable surveys. The selection of a suitable site plays a crucial role in sustaining the base’s operation and facilitating scientific research. Previous site selection methods ha...

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Main Authors: Yuan Li, Xusheng Zhang, Junying Lv, Wuming Zhang, Zhouxuan Xiao, Ziyi Xiong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-05-01
Series:Geo-spatial Information Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/10095020.2025.2495682
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author Yuan Li
Xusheng Zhang
Junying Lv
Wuming Zhang
Zhouxuan Xiao
Ziyi Xiong
author_facet Yuan Li
Xusheng Zhang
Junying Lv
Wuming Zhang
Zhouxuan Xiao
Ziyi Xiong
author_sort Yuan Li
collection DOAJ
description Countries are now shifting from one-off lunar exploration missions to the establishment of a lunar base for long-term sustainable surveys. The selection of a suitable site plays a crucial role in sustaining the base’s operation and facilitating scientific research. Previous site selection methods have been limited in their ability to consider multiple objectives and factors simultaneously, often relying heavily on expert knowledge. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a comprehensive site selection method that integrates multiple engineering and scientific objectives/factors. Through site selection factor comprehending, gridded data processing and site evaluation based on Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), the proposed method balances subjective and objective considerations and outputs quantitative descriptions of the most suitable candidate sites. This paper applies the proposed method to the range of 75°S  −  90°S. The results reveal four large areas with continuous high suitability near the South Pole, while a small area located at the rim of Cabeus B crater shows the highest suitability. Qualitative and quantitative comparisons are conducted between the areas selected by the proposed method, areas recommended by previous studies, and areas announced by Artemis III. The candidate areas identified in this paper outperform others in terms of a wider range of site selection factors, making them valuable references for future lunar base site determination. Additionally, the proposed site selection method holds relevance for similar site selection tasks where multiple objectives are set. It offers a more automated and quantifiable approach, minimizing manual intervention and providing robust results for decision-making processes.
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id doaj-art-4811d21b0cb14959ae4f39c402ef86fc
institution Kabale University
issn 1009-5020
1993-5153
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publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Taylor & Francis Group
record_format Article
series Geo-spatial Information Science
spelling doaj-art-4811d21b0cb14959ae4f39c402ef86fc2025-08-20T03:52:52ZengTaylor & Francis GroupGeo-spatial Information Science1009-50201993-51532025-05-0112810.1080/10095020.2025.2495682A multi-objective multi-factor integrated method for comprehensive luna base site selectionYuan Li0Xusheng Zhang1Junying Lv2Wuming Zhang3Zhouxuan Xiao4Ziyi Xiong5School of Geospatial Engineering and Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, ChinaSchool of Geospatial Engineering and Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, ChinaSchool of Geospatial Engineering and Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, ChinaSchool of Geospatial Engineering and Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, ChinaSchool of Geospatial Engineering and Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, ChinaSchool of Geospatial Engineering and Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, ChinaCountries are now shifting from one-off lunar exploration missions to the establishment of a lunar base for long-term sustainable surveys. The selection of a suitable site plays a crucial role in sustaining the base’s operation and facilitating scientific research. Previous site selection methods have been limited in their ability to consider multiple objectives and factors simultaneously, often relying heavily on expert knowledge. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a comprehensive site selection method that integrates multiple engineering and scientific objectives/factors. Through site selection factor comprehending, gridded data processing and site evaluation based on Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), the proposed method balances subjective and objective considerations and outputs quantitative descriptions of the most suitable candidate sites. This paper applies the proposed method to the range of 75°S  −  90°S. The results reveal four large areas with continuous high suitability near the South Pole, while a small area located at the rim of Cabeus B crater shows the highest suitability. Qualitative and quantitative comparisons are conducted between the areas selected by the proposed method, areas recommended by previous studies, and areas announced by Artemis III. The candidate areas identified in this paper outperform others in terms of a wider range of site selection factors, making them valuable references for future lunar base site determination. Additionally, the proposed site selection method holds relevance for similar site selection tasks where multiple objectives are set. It offers a more automated and quantifiable approach, minimizing manual intervention and providing robust results for decision-making processes.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/10095020.2025.2495682Lunar basesite selectionmultiple objectivesmultiple factors
spellingShingle Yuan Li
Xusheng Zhang
Junying Lv
Wuming Zhang
Zhouxuan Xiao
Ziyi Xiong
A multi-objective multi-factor integrated method for comprehensive luna base site selection
Geo-spatial Information Science
Lunar base
site selection
multiple objectives
multiple factors
title A multi-objective multi-factor integrated method for comprehensive luna base site selection
title_full A multi-objective multi-factor integrated method for comprehensive luna base site selection
title_fullStr A multi-objective multi-factor integrated method for comprehensive luna base site selection
title_full_unstemmed A multi-objective multi-factor integrated method for comprehensive luna base site selection
title_short A multi-objective multi-factor integrated method for comprehensive luna base site selection
title_sort multi objective multi factor integrated method for comprehensive luna base site selection
topic Lunar base
site selection
multiple objectives
multiple factors
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/10095020.2025.2495682
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