In Moon Camp Explorers each team’s mission is to 3D design a complete Moon Camp using Tinkercad. They also have to explain how they will use local resources, protect astronauts from the dangers of space and describe the living and working facilities in their Moon Camp.
American Community School of Athens Athens-Attica Greece 12 0 / 0 English
Helios Camp is a sustainable lunar base designed to enable human habitation and scientific exploration on the Moon. Its components include living quarters, a greenhouse, a laboratory, a gym, rockets and rovers, water tanks, and photovoltaic parks.
The living quarters are designed to provide a comfortable and safe environment for the crew, with sturdy construction and radiation protection. The greenhouse features hydroponic systems and artificial lighting, enabling the crew to grow fresh produce in a controlled environment. The laboratory is equipped with advanced analytical equipment, allowing the crew to conduct scientific research and experimentation.
The Gym offers tailored exercise programs for low-gravity environments, helping the crew maintain their physical health and fitness. The Rockets and Rovers are equipped with sensors and instruments, enabling the crew to explore different areas on the lunar surface and collect data and samples.
Water tanks use advanced filtration and purification systems to recycle water for the crew, and Photovoltaic parks generate sustainable power for the base.
Overall, Helios Camp is a comprehensive and well-designed Moon Camp that reflects careful planning and consideration for the challenges and opportunities of living and working on the Moon.
There are several reasons why astronauts may want to build a Moon Camp:
Exploration: The Moon is a nearby celestial body that humans have been fascinated with for centuries. Building a Moon Camp would allow humans to explore and study the Moon in greater detail, potentially leading to new scientific discoveries.
Human Expansion: The Moon could serve as a stepping stone for human expansion into space. Building a Moon Camp would enable humans to establish a permanent presence on the Moon, which could lead to further exploration and colonization of other celestial bodies.
Economic Opportunities: The Moon could provide opportunities for commercial ventures such as space tourism or the establishment of lunar mining operations. Building a Moon Camp could provide a foothold for such ventures to begin.
The establishment of a Moon Camp would be a significant step forward in human exploration and could lead to numerous benefits.
Close to the lunar poles
Establishing a Moon Camp near the poles offers advantages for human exploration and scientific research.
The region potentially contains water resources and allows for continuous solar power generation. It also provides unique opportunities for scientific research, advantageous communication with Earth, and a relatively safe environment due to flat terrain and stable temperature range. However, challenges and risks such as harsh environment, transportation needs, infrastructure requirements, and potential environmental impact need to be considered.
Helios Camp will be constructed using the Moon’s natural resources, such as lunar regolith, a fine-grained soil that can be used as a building material for habitats and infrastructure.
We plan to use 3D printing technology that would use regolith as a raw material to print lunar building blocks. The poles of the Moon offer a potential source of water ice, which can be extracted and used for drinking water, oxygen production, and rocket fuel. Utilizing in-situ resources like water can greatly reduce the amount of material that needs to be transported from Earth, making space exploration more sustainable and affordable.
While we plan to use as many resources as possible from the Moon, some materials will still need to be brought from Earth. These would include specialized equipment, scientific instruments, and supplies for the crew. To minimize the environmental impact, we plan to use reusable rockets and efficient packaging of supplies.
Our approach is focused on maximizing the use of available resources while minimizing the impact on the lunar environment. By utilizing the Moon’s natural resources, we can reduce the cost and environmental impact of space exploration while also enabling more sustainable long-term human presence on the Moon.
To protect astronauts from the Moon’s harsh environment, our Helios Camp must be designed to withstand extreme temperatures, radiation, meteorite impacts, and the vacuum of space.
Using the Moon’s natural resources would be crucial to building a sustainable and cost-effective Moon Camp. The Moon’s regolith, or loose rock and dust, can be compacted and sintered to create strong building materials for structures, roads, and landing pads. Water ice located in the permanently shadowed craters near the Moon’s poles could be mined and processed to provide further protection in our underground base.
Lava tubes near the poles, underground tunnels created by ancient volcanic activity, could provide natural shelter and protection from the harsh environment on the Moon’s surface.
However, equipment and machinery for construction and mining, supplies for the crew, and parts for maintaining and repairing equipment and structures would still need to be transported from Earth. Therefore, careful planning and resource management would be crucial to building a sustainable and efficient Moon Camp.
Helios Camp must be self-sustaining to provide astronauts with basic necessities during long Moon missions.
Resources like water, food, air, and power are scarce on the Moon, and relying on Earth for resupply is not feasible. To address this challenge, Moon Camps can use in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) to extract resources from the Moon.
Water, for instance, can be obtained by extracting it from the lunar regolith or by mining lunar ice in the polar regions.
Water electrolysis can separate the water into hydrogen and oxygen, which can be used for fuel and breathing, respectively. Sustainable agriculture methods like hydroponics or aeroponics can provide food for astronauts. Renewable energy sources like solar panels can generate electricity to power life support systems, scientific experiments, and communication systems.
A reliable source of power is essential for maintaining a comfortable temperature and air purification systems. Nuclear power is an alternative, but safety concerns must be taken into account.
To prepare astronauts for a Moon mission, a comprehensive training program is required that covers various aspects such as physical fitness, technical skills, teamwork, survival skills, mental health, and simulated Moon missions.
Astronauts need to be in excellent physical condition, have good technical skills, and be able to work collaboratively in a team environment. They should also be trained in survival skills, such as managing limited resources and dealing with emergencies, as well as mental health management to deal with the psychological challenges of a long-duration mission. Furthermore, an understanding of lunar science and exploration is critical for astronauts to make the most of their mission to the Moon.
To ensure that astronauts are well prepared, simulated Moon missions should be an integral part of the training program. These simulations will allow them to practice their skills in a realistic environment and better prepare them for the actual mission. Additionally, it is essential to provide ongoing training and support to astronauts during the mission to ensure their physical and mental well-being.
