Feasibility study of novel crew wellbeing and alternative countermeasures solutions for recreational spaces in future Lunar permanent settlements

With the successful conclusion of the mission Artemis I, a new era of space exploration has started with the aim to pave the way for humans to return to the Moon. It is therefore of paramount importance to develop proper solutions for permanent outposts, with a special focus on habitability, ergonomics, and long-term usability in hypogravity environments such as the lunar environment. By focusing on crew psychophysiological wellbeing, this work revolves around the conception of spaces for the practice of new fitness and leisure activities as countermeasure against stress in long-term mission. It is well known that by introducing game components into exercise routines psychological and physiological wellbeing can be significantly improved, resulting in the enhancement of crew’s performance. Thus, the present study investigates how tennis, which has many proven health benefits, could theoretically be played under lunar gravity conditions focusing on how this game would change due to the lunar environmental factors in terms of regulation and equipment. A qualitative assessment is conducted through a comparative evaluation of the features of racket-ball sports practised on the Earth, to better adapt rules and playing of tennis to lunar conditions. Furthermore, the investigation addresses the study of the technical feasibility of a lunar tennis facility, in order to provide lunar settlements design with new elements to enhance habitability in long-duration human missions on the Moon.