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A coherent approach to early and evolutionary habitat design for a lunar outpost is required. It should be based on the fundamental purpose of the habitat - to provide shelter, living and working space for humans. It is proposed that the existing “Man-Systems Integration Standards (MSIS),” (NASA, 1989) which was designed primarily as guidance for the Space Station, be the basis for the design approach for a lunar outpost. There are a number of differences between lunar outposts and space stations, stemming from their different environments and uses, which will have to be recognized. The MSIS for a lunar outpost should contain both upgraded general and specific requirements on which lunar outpost design should be based.

Space transportation today is undertaken nearly entirely using vehicles launched from Earth in which all elements of a mission are integrated on Earth. Missions to low Earth orbit, Geosynchronous orbit, the Moon, Mars, Jupiter, etc., all are launched directly from Earth. Missions requiring large changes of velocity may be staged to gain efficiency, but still everything has to be launched from Earth. As a consequence, missions that emplace rather small payloads on the Moon, for example, Apollo, require very large rockets on Earth. Architectures for exploration beyond low Earth orbit can be dramatically changed if propellants can be produced on the Moon, Mars or small bodies and provided to spacecraft on planet surfaces and at fuel depots in space.