Lunáris

Lunáris is a fictional lunar habitat and research program used in science fiction and in-universe documentation to illustrate sustained human presence on the Moon. It functions as both a settlement and an international governance framework for off-Earth activity.

The name blends the Latin luna for Moon with the suffix -aris, meaning pertaining to, forming a general term for lunar-related systems in the setting.

Setting and design: Lunáris is placed in a near-equatorial region of the Moon, typically Mare Tranquillitatis, with modular, hexagonal habitat units assembled from regolith-shielded panels. The design emphasizes autonomy through closed-loop life support, hydroponic farms, and surface power from solar arrays. Mobility is provided by cargo landers and small rover teams; a rover-based mining prospecting program supplies raw materials for construction and experiments.

Operations and governance: In the fiction, Lunáris operates under the International Lunar Council, a treaty-based body coordinating research, resource sharing, and safety standards. Visits and tourism are limited, with strict planetary protection and environmental guidelines.

Cultural impact: The concept is used to explore themes of international cooperation, scientific curiosity, and the social dynamics of living in a closed-off, extreme environment. It appears in novels, games, and films within the designated universe.