Layered Mylar Could Insulate Moon Habitats Against Extreme Temperatures

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania developed layered Mylar sheets to insulate lunar habitats. Stacks of 5 and 12.5 µm sheets at 200 and 80 layers per millimeter performed best, surviving vacuum, pressure and extreme temperature swings.

• Sheets of 2.5, 5 and 12.5 µm were tested at 80 to 400 layers per millimeter
• Thinner layers insulate worse because their microparticles contact and spread heat
• Stacks withstood pressure equal to 200 pounds on a fingertip-sized area
• Lunar surface temperatures range from +127 °C in sunlight to −247 °C in shade