NASA plans lunar colonization by 2020 . Long - term human settlement will require space farming . Space-worthy inflatable structures have been around since the 1960s and are lightweight , compact in transit and easy to assemble on landing . NASA and SMC working on the Mars Inflatable Greenhouse . It could provide food , oxygen and recycle water .
NASA plans lunar colonization by 2020 . Long - term human settlement will require space farming . NASA and SMC working on the Mars Inflatable Greenhouse . It could provide food , oxygen and recycle water .