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.
First Place – Non-ESA Member states
Turhan Akçay Science and Art Center Uşak-Ege Turkey 12 0 / 2 English
The name of our camp is “Horizon Gate”. We think it has the potential to broaden our horizons in space exploration. It has been designed as two floors (underground and over ground). Six astronauts can live and work in camp. Above camp, there are natural light greenhouses made of composite glass designed to break the harmful rays of the sun, communication satellite and control room. The astronauts stay six months and they will return to Earth. New astronauts will take their place. Special security measures have been taken for the over-ground units. The camp is self-sufficient; initially, some necessary materials will be brought from Earth. In greenhouses, we want to do soilless agriculture, agriculture in natural and artificial light, plant species that live in low gravity conditions, love regolith soil structure and grow with organic waste. We will investigate the biological structures, Geological, Archaeological and Chemical structure of the Moon. We’ll extract helium-3, gold, platinum, aluminum, titanium, silicon and other precious metals. We will electrolysis by turning the ice on the Moon into liquid form. Oxygen will be used for respiration. Hydrogen will be enriched, stored, made rocket fuel. There are 17 indoor and 16 outdoor units in the camp.
What is the biological, archaeological, geological structure of the Moon? What studies can be done about moon? How can we benefit from the minerals on the Moon? How can we exploit the water we get from craters and icebergs on the moon? Can plants grow in moon soil? How about farming and animal feeding in a low gravity environment? Can there be long-term life in the lunar environment? Are there unknown life forms on the moon? Are there benefit resources on the moon for the Earth? Could the moon be used as fuel station for going other planets? Are there necessary resources on the Moon to be able to use the Moon as a fuel station? What is the development level of identical agricultural plants in greenhouses illuminated by natural light (greenhouse glass without UV filter) and a greenhouse with UV filter? We want to seek answers to such questions.
Clavius M. Crater
Clavius M. crater is the discovery that there are plenty of ice and water molecules in the crater as a result of recent research. It located in the sunlit region of the South Pole of the Moon. So astronauts can take advantage of sunlight, heat and water. We learned with our research that this region is in a location that can be considered close to areas rich in minerals. Clavius M. is in the sun-exposed part of the giant Clavius crater and its edge, this situation gives us the opportunity to build what we want and enables rather heat us.
Our camp will be set up on the rim of the Clavius_M. It located at South Pole. Camp building is designed two-storey structure. Thus, the camp has doors to both the crater floor and the top of crater. The outer units that make up the camp will be placed inside crater. The living and working areas will be built on the hill surrounding crater. All rooms are connected each other by corridors and ventilation channels. Camp has three entrances, outer parts of the entrances are protected by metal domes and there are isolation rooms here. There are protective equipments and oxygen cylinders in isolation rooms. Each room has oxygen and fire extinguishers for emergencies. There are three greenhouses in camp. Engineering calculations are made to support the weight of underground living space. Bearing columns, beams, partitions are made of composite metal (aluminum, steel). Glass surfaces are made of silicon. Silicon, aluminum and iron mines are available on the moon. Some of the materials and tools required for the camp will be brought from the world. Materials that have raw materials on the Moon will be produced there. This works will be done in basic production systems zone at camp site.
Camp is built from a chemical resistant carrier system that provides a high level of physical protection to protect our astronauts from harsh external conditions. Its walls are designed with metal support, which is resistant to small-scale meteorite impact. The walls are supported with high thermal insulation capacity material. In order to balance the pressure, the inlets are constructed of double-door and vacuum system. Isolation rooms are placed at the entrances. Entrances are protected by metal domes. Glass surfaces are made of high-strength silica-aerogel-backed and UV-filtered composite transparent material. Only glass was used in greenhouses. Oxygen obtained from greenhouses and electrolysis of water is injected into the camp. In-camp values are constantly measured by sensors and adjusted automatically according to the data. Materials inside the camp are designed considering the low gravity of moon. There are emergency fire extinguishers, oxygen cylinders and masks in the rooms. It has metal decking and magnetic gravity boots. It has emergency warning and communication system. Astronauts have daily emergency equipment. Camp has electromagnetic early warning (meteorite) system which is connected air defense system. There are solid and liquid waste recycling systems. There is mini infirmary, emergency response robot, emergency generator and backup lighting system.
In the beginning, food will be brought from the earth. With the water extraction system, water will be supplied from the ice floes in the crater. Some of the water will be used in the camp, and some will be converted into oxygen and hydrogen by electrolysis by the electrolysis system. Some of the hydrogen will be enriched and converted into rocket fuel, and some will be used in the production of fuel for the mini hydrogen reactor. The electricity requirement of the electrolysis system will be provided by solar panels. The camp’s electrical energy will be produced by solar panels and a mini hydrogen reactor. The heating system is also electric. Oxygen demand will be met from electrolysis and greenhouses. The control and ventilation system will control this. It is aimed that the camp will be sustainable with solid and liquid waste recycling systems. There are aluminum, silicon, platinum and other precious metals and helium-3 extraction and storage areas. There are three greenhouses. In these, soilless agriculture, moon soil (regolith) agriculture, artificial and natural light agriculture experiments are carried out. In addition, studies are carried out to raise poultry and freshwater creatures in greenhouses. There are pools for this.
Education should be two stages. First stage should include theoretical education. Previous expertise of astronauts on this subject should be tested. Afterwards, they should be given information about survival on the moon, changing conditions and adaptation, basic first aid, basic repair skills, life on the moon, unexpected problems and solution suggestions, possible difficulties they will encounter there, and methods of struggle, apart from their areas of expertise. should share their experiences. Second stage of the training should be practical applications and augmented reality supported applied studio activities. This studio should be designed as a Moon-experience center and a lunar simulation should be created. Studies should be carried out in order to reduce the first inexperience and mistakes of the astronauts who will go here by doing a small moon rehearsal. Finally, there should be practical training in artificial (real) environment created from similar conditions. In addition, the difficulties that the personal to be employed during their work related to their field of expertise, clear job description and expected goals, routine works and daily/weekly schedules to be followed during the camp, difficulties that may be encountered during travel, health status monitoring and control etc. also needs to be trained.
