Roberto De Moraes

Senior Geotechnical Engineer. C.Eng. | Lunar Ground Mechanics
Author of The Moon Builders Series

[Roberto De Moraes @rde_moraes]

We know what to build on the Moon, but how to prepare the ground? Read more: Engineering the Lunar sites for Construction on https://t.co/mE5OgMykFV. #TheMoonBuilders #SpaceGeotech

[Roberto De Moraes @rde_moraes]

@SciGuySpace Let’s look back a bit. What are the main differences in performance and safety between these new class rockets and Saturn V?

[Roberto De Moraes @rde_moraes]

The Moon is evolving from a mission destination to a construction site. SpaceGeotech explains why current engineering practices must change ▶️ https://t.co/QrLC4CMNbu #Moon #SpaceTech #LunarConstruction #Engineering

[Roberto De Moraes @rde_moraes]

Most lunar power discussions focus on the reactor. Very few focus on the ground beneath it. In Chapter 13 of Engineering the Lunar Sites for Construction, I discuss Fission Surface Power (FSP) as a ground engineering problem as much as a nuclear one. Settlement. Tilt. Thermal gradients. Burial stability. Load transfer under ultra low confinement. If the ground response is not understood, the power system is not understood. Part of The Moon Builders series. Available on Amazon. @NASAMoonBase @NASAAdmin
@SPACEdotcom
#LunarConstruction #FSP #Artemis #SpaceEngineering #MoonBuilders

[Roberto De Moraes @rde_moraes]

Why current digital twins won’t be enough for lunar construction? The missing layer: ground behavior, construction reality, and engineering choices. Read the full analysis: https://t.co/hi0d2TxJSR @NASAMoonBase @NASAAdmin
#DigitalTwins #LunarConstruction #SpaceTech

[Roberto De Moraes @rde_moraes]

@NASAAdmin, One of the greatest necessities for the Artemis program's early stages is to properly characterize the lunar ground for design purposes. A distinction between what is needed for science and for construction should be well-established. We may risk gathering inappropriate data for surface assets. I've been advocating and supporting you and NASA on the geotechnical/ground engineering side. #TheMoonBuilders via https://t.co/IXpAPzhvrU.

[Roberto De Moraes @rde_moraes]

Exploration or construction? Exploration or design of permanent structures? What should come first? I've been contributing to bringing more industry experience on board rather than relying solely on science. The USA can make it. https://t.co/IXpAPzhvrU discusses solutions and risk mitigation and collaborates on the discussion. It is the only platform where we discuss real-world construction and the design of surface/subsurface assets. @NASAMoonBase @NASAAdmin, the American construction and design industry can handle the necessary lunar ground management in the early stages.

[Roberto De Moraes @rde_moraes]

The NASA Moon Base discussion is missing a fundamental consideration: lunar ground mechanics and their safety implications. Regolith behavior under load, traffic, and excavation will govern what is actually buildable. SpaceGeotech brings geotechnical engineering into that conversation, linking mission design to real ground response and constructability. @NASAMoonBase @NASAAdmin @elonmusk
https://t.co/IXpAPzhvrU

#NASA #MoonBase #SpaceGeotech

[Roberto De Moraes @rde_moraes]

@NASAMoonBase @NASAAdmin

[Roberto De Moraes @rde_moraes]

We're shifting from lunar exploration to lunar geopolitics. What does it mean for engineering on the Moon? Explore the dynamics of competition and infrastructure in our new blog. https://t.co/kTRoRDzCyd #SpaceTech #Geopolitics

[Roberto De Moraes @rde_moraes]

@NASAMoonBase @NASAAdmin

[Roberto De Moraes @rde_moraes]

Helium-3 discussions are heating up! This potential resource is prompting us to think about the infrastructure necessary for a cislunar economy. Don't miss out on our latest blog! https://t.co/5RkREU3Zce #space #Helium3

[Roberto De Moraes @rde_moraes]

@NASAMoonBase @NASAAdmin

[Roberto De Moraes @rde_moraes]

The Moon's surface is a treasure trove of secrets! Learn why the Lunar OCR* is crucial for our understanding of lunar geology and mission efficiency. Check out the full article: https://t.co/nJvWP388OP #OCR #SpaceExploration

[Roberto De Moraes @rde_moraes]

@NASAMoonBase @NASAAdmin

[Roberto De Moraes @rde_moraes]

Why does placement matter for lunar fission power? New technical article breaks down surface vs. subsurface deployment, thermal and radiation strategies, and regolith-based construction. 23-min read by Roberto Moraes: https://t.co/9wzU3QWJtg #LunarPower #SpaceGeotech #Fission

[Roberto De Moraes @rde_moraes]

@NASAMoonBase @NASAAdmin

[Roberto De Moraes @rde_moraes]

Winning the Return to the Moon, Land First, Adapt Later: Move fast, accept bounded uncertainty, and avoid risks that silently propagate across missions. A strategy for lunar return programs. https://t.co/X6iOTzK2zF #TheMoonBuilders #SpaceGeotech #Aerospace #SpacePolicy

[Roberto De Moraes @rde_moraes]

@NASAMoonBase @NASAAdmin

[Roberto De Moraes @rde_moraes]

Strange situation.

Humanity is planning the largest construction effort beyond Earth. Yet there has never been a geotechnical investigation mission for lunar landing sites. Before building on the Moon, we should understand the ground. The Moon Builders is dedicated to this endeavor #TheMoonBuilders #spacegeoyech #spacex @NASAAdmin

[Roberto De Moraes @rde_moraes]

1991: Lunar Sourcebook, a classic reference that described the Moon: its regolith, geology, and Apollo lessons.
2025: The Moon Builders prescribe how to build on it.

[Roberto De Moraes @rde_moraes]

@NASAMoonBase @NASAAdmin

[Roberto De Moraes @rde_moraes]

Three books were published on Amazon. All focused on one issue that remains largely unresolved. How do we interpret lunar regolith data for engineering decisions?
• The Moon Builders
• Engineering the Lunar Sites for Construction
• Ground Intelligence
Before building infrastructure on the Moon, we need to understand the ground. #SpaceX #NASAadm

[Roberto De Moraes @rde_moraes]

@NASAMoonBase @NASAAdmin

[Roberto De Moraes @rde_moraes]

What must come before a lunar economy? Everyone talks about rockets.
Almost nobody talks about the ground. Read more: https://t.co/jiO3kjSwvr

#LunarInfrastructure #SpaceTech #MoonBase #SpaceGeotech

[Roberto De Moraes @rde_moraes]

@NASAMoonBase @NASAAdmin

[Roberto De Moraes @rde_moraes]

Can we prepare the lunar regolith for such loads?
#SpaceX #TheMoonBuilders

[Roberto De Moraes @rde_moraes]

@NASAMoonBase @NASAAdmin

[Roberto De Moraes @rde_moraes]

A book dedicated to exploring options for lunar infrastructure and innovative design.
Grab your copy now: https://t.co/Lwl6MawBjZ
#TheMoonBuilders @SPACEdotcom @SpaceNews_Inc

[Roberto De Moraes @rde_moraes]

@NASAMoonBase @NASAAdmin

[Roberto De Moraes @rde_moraes]

Designing lunar infrastructure on Apollo’s limited soil data? 🚧👩‍🚀 New analysis highlights the big unknowns, shallow depths, sparse sites, and no variability maps. Read more: https://t.co/r9OJC6Ta1M
#Apollo #Moon #LunarEngineering #SpaceGeoTech