Before Constellation Systems was cancelled he worked on an erectable/inflatable lunar surface habitat design that also had support within NASA.

His problem has always been that even he (and he is wealthy) does not have the resources to “go it alone” without government support. His orbital module work is now being propped up by NASA requesting a module to be attached to the ISS. I am not saying that is a bad thing, but it would be better if he fulfilled the delivery to the ISS of the orbital module before jumping into the currently (in this country anyway) non-existent lunar market.

If at that point he can produce (with his own resources) lunar surface habitats to be used with government supplied transportation (if that ever comes to pass in this country again) great, but there are a lot of “if’s” in that scenario.

http://www.spacepolitics.com/2013/11/13/bigelow-to-press-us-government-on-lunar-property-rights/

His two main points are that a) A lunar COTS program should be established, much in the same way the COTS program for the ISS and b) Private companies should be allowed property rights on the Moon, if the private sector is going to advance its presence there. He also stated that he will apply to the FAA, for a review of the Outer Space Treaty concerning private property rights. He also states in his report that if NASA isn’t allowed to do this, ever-decreasing budgets will only allow for a modest human spaceflight program, leaving the stage open for China, to do what the US should be doing.

I’d much like to read your valuable insights on this Dr. Spudis. Do you think that public-private partnerships such as this, could jumbstart lunar exploitation and settlement?

Bigelow Urges Lunar COTS Program, Wants Moon Property Rights Review.
Doug Messier
on November 12, 2013, at 1:17 pm
http://www.parabolicarc.com/2013/11/12/50647/

Today, Wednesday, Nov. 13, Charles Bolden will speak on the success of the commercial approach for LEO flights:

http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv

Only natural it should also be extended to BEO flights.

Bob Clark

Chinese are member of Outer Space Treaty, which states:
“The treaty explicitly forbids any government from claiming a celestial resource such as the Moon or a planet, claiming that they are the common heritage of mankind.[3] Art. II of the Treaty states that “outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means”.” wiki.

So Chinese would need notify there intention to not longer be member of this international treaty. If they did that could then make such a claim
and not bound any other part of this treaty.

But China does need to make a claim- it doesn’t serve any use to them.
They “own” the Moon by using it. If you are making rocket fuel and selling rocket fuel, you choose not to sell rocket fuel or charge very high price to any party. This may or may not be good way to do business
but you other purposes, one you chose not to enable other parties by denying them your product.
But the US has their ITAR regime. China could mimic ITAR in regard to the Moon or make companies join some kind regime which follows Chinese laws. So like Google agreement with China which include censoring content. Or rules could parties might launch from certain earth launch sites. Or use chinese upper stages. So many way to exert
political control.
Though any such restrictions would wiser if they didn’t have much cost
to these companies. Google censorship for China doesn’t have much cost to Google. So it merely can be you play in your sand box you play by our rules and we not make the rules expensive to follow,
So it’s big benefit to China to be able to make the rules. And considering how expensive and silly American rules can be, it could even be welcomed by all.

Bob Clark

http://www.planetology.ru/panoramas/lunokhod2.php

Be sure to click on the additional pages at the bottom for additional imagery.