University team proposes retractable pressurized tunnels for Mars missions
A University of Michigan team has proposed a pressurized tunnel system to improve mobility and safety for future Mars crews.
A team from the University of Michigan, part of the Bioastronautics and Life Support Systems (BLiSS) group, has proposed a new concept for crewed Mars missions: retractable, pressurized tunnels. The idea, detailed in a paper titled "LATCH: Lightweight Actuated Tunnels for Crewed Habitation," was submitted to NASA's Moon to Mars eXploration Systems and Habitation (M2M X-Hab 2026) Academic Innovation Challenge.
The tunnels are designed to connect habitats, landing pads, and other surface assets, allowing astronauts to move between them without the need for space suits. This would eliminate the time-consuming and risky process of donning and doffing EVA (Extravehicular Activity) suits for every transit. According to the team, the current process can take up to a full day and exposes crew members to radiation and decompression risks.
The LATCH system consists of inflatable shells, structural rings, motor-driven extension mechanisms, and integrated airlocks. These tunnels can be deployed as needed and retracted when not in use, reducing both transit time and the need for large, heavy space suits. The system also includes a user interface for monitoring the tunnels' status, with sensors detecting leaks and other issues.
NASA and China are both planning crewed Mars missions in the 2030s or 2040s, with the Artemis Program serving as a precursor. The LATCH concept could significantly enhance the efficiency and safety of surface operations, making long-term human presence on Mars more viable.
The LATCH tunnel system represents a critical advancement in enabling sustainable human presence on Mars. By eliminating the need for frequent EVA suits, it reduces mission complexity, risk, and resource use. This aligns with the vision of a multi-planetary civilization, where efficient infrastructure supports long-term exploration and settlement. As we move toward interplanetary expansion, innovations like LATCH will be foundational in making Mars a second home for humanity, accelerating the trajectory toward a self-sustaining, spacefaring species.
Edited by the news editor with AI from the original report — please refer to the original source.