NASA will begin testing a two-room, inflatable building that will be a model for its planned base on the moon.
NASA Tests Moon Building - CNET
It's good to see NASA finally getting its act together and doing some real, practical research into the area of long-term human habitation on the surface of other worlds. Too bad they are late to the party and are pursuing the wrong target.
The Mars Society has been operating its Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station in the desolate wastelands of the Canadian Arctic for over six years. It has been operating its Mars Desert Research Station in Utah for almost five years. Both are run under full simulation conditions: crew members must wear space suits when outside and radio communications are delayed to simulate light travel time between Earth and Mars. Scientists from all over the world have participated on crews and have conducted valuable research into off-world exploration and habitation.
One of these habs looks like an actual research facility where work gets done and the other looks like an exhibit from EPCOT Center.
