discovery interactive image

Moon Camp Explorers 2022 – 2023 Project Gallery

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.

The Space Axolotls

Bridgeway Academy Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume-PACA France 10, 11 0 / 1 English

External link for 3D Design

1.1 – Project Description

Our Moon Camp has three domes made of shield glass and titanium. It is located in the Shackelton crater.

The base includes an advanced air recycling system, a greenhouse for food and experiments, and solar panels for power. There is also a duster, a control center, and a resting room. The water and the air are extracted from the ice on the South pole of the Moon.

In the future, we plan on building additional domes, using iron from ferrous lunar meteorites as well as recycled/ upcycled materials from space debris.

1.2 – Why do your astronaut want to go to the Moon and build a Moon Camp?

Our astronauts have always wanted to go to the Moon to discover more about the secrets of the universe.

They want to study the possibility of building a permanent and self-sufficient colony that could also be used in the future as a departure base for further space exploration.

Another major objective is to find solutions for cleaning lunar and orbital space junk thus contributing to making space sustainable.

Our mascot is an axolotl named the Great Skippy.

2.1.a – Where do you want to build your Moon Camp?

Shackleton crater

2.2.b – Why did you choose this location?

The edge of the Shackleton crater is almost continuously exposed to sunlight much needed for our solar panels.

In the shaded parts of the crater, we can find ice that will be used for water and air extraction.

Also, the poleward crater wall presents a narrower thermal range compared to other parts of the Moon.

2.2 How do you plan to build your Moon Camp? Describe how you can use the Moon’s natural resources, and which materials you would need to bring from Earth.

We plan on using titanium, which can be naturally found in situ and extracted from ilmenite (FeTiO3), a mineral compound that contains iron, titanium, and oxygen. Titanium is a corrosion-resistant material and can endure harsh conditions for long periods of time.

Regolith, the lunar soil, which is a natural shielding material, will be used for protecting the domes from solar and cosmic radiation.

We also envisage upcycling and recycling debris that can be found on the Moon or in orbit around the Moon (from previous missions). We consider the possiblity of exploiting iron from ferrous lunar meteorites as well as from space junk.

The air-tight windows need to be brought from Earth though.

3.1 – How does your Moon Camp protect and provide shelter to your astronauts against the Moon’s harsh environment.

Regolith, mixed with urea, will be used as thermal and micrometeorite protection but also against solar and cosmic radiation.

By placing our camp in the Shackleton crater, close to the poleward crater wall, we insure protection against extreme temperatures.

In addition, we designed dust removers, as the moondust is very sticky and we need to make sure that our Moon camp is dust free.

3.2 – On the Moon, resources are very scarce, but during long Moon missions, astronauts cannot rely on resupply missions from the Earth. Explain how your Moon Camp will provide astronauts with sustainable access to basic needs like water, food, air and power.

For food, we have a greenhouse with sun radiation protection where we can grow vegetables and other plants.

The power for the Moon Camp comes from our solar panels placed on the edge of the crater.

As for water and air, we use a photovoltaic-powered electrolysis converter system (using ice).

Oxygen is also present in ilmenite and we are looking into ways of retrieving it (magnetic or electrostatic separation, carbothermal reduction …).

4.1 – What would you include in your astronaut training programme, to help prepare the astronauts for a Moon mission?

In order to prepare our astronauts for the mission, we devised a complex training programme: simulations, science experiments, geology field trips, training in submarine stations, theoretical courses on diverse subjects (chemistry, physics, electricity, medicine, biology, botany, ecology …) but also physical, mental, and psychological training.