PROJECT NAUTILUS-24 LUNAR: Nuclear-Powered Modular Habitat System for Permanent Lunar Colonization (v2.0 - Preprint Draft for Expert Review)

PREPRINT DRAFT - NOT FINAL VERSION This technical white paper presents Project NAUTILUS-24, a 24-person lunar testbed designed to validate closed-loop life support technologies for Mars colonization. By demonstrating 95% food self-sufficiency on Luna, we de-risk the critical path to permanent Martian settlement—proving systems in a 3-day rescue environment before committing to 6-month Mars transit windows. The system leverages submarine nuclear technology, modular prefabricated construction, and integrated closed-loop ecological life support (Artificial Closed Ecosystem - ACE). Key innovations include PET bottle radiation shielding, multi-trophic food webs, and hybrid nuclear-solar power architecture. Beyond life support validation, NAUTILUS-24 serves as a multi-purpose research platform for helium-3 extraction feasibility, low-gravity manufacturing, astrobiology, and long-duration human physiology studies. ⚠️ STATUS: This is a PREPRINT circulated for expert technical review. Several systems (aquaponics at 0.16g, agricultural automation, economic projections) require validation by specialists with operational ECLSS experience. Technical reviewers providing substantial contributions will be offered co-authorship on the final peer-reviewed version (v2.5). REVIEW PERIOD: January-February 2026EXPECTED FINAL PUBLICATION: February 28, 2026CONTACT: okushigue@gmail.com Final version will incorporate expert feedback and may include additional co-authors.