郑州轻工业附属中学 Zhengzhou City, Henan Province-Henan Province China 19 years old, 18 years old 5 / 0 English Mars
For this project, we chose to build a semi-underground base on Mars, a planet with intense space radiation, extreme diurnal temperature differences, and rampant sandstorms.
The Halipleumon base is located in the Memnonia quadrangle with underground caves and abundant water ice. We utilise local resources to build a home with robust and durable structure, healthy and amiable environment through innovative architectural design and energy application.
Painted pastel azure, the base mimics the shape of a jellyfish on Earth, whose bell and long, thin tentacles inspire a structure with an aboveground dome and an underground shelter, both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Its smooth dome minimises wind resistance; its underground branches, with smooth surface curves, ensure uniform stress distribution. This design effectively reduces stress concentrations, enhancing the structural durability and stability. The stability of the underground body is further guaranteed by the reinforcement on caves, creation of support frames, and installation of shock-absorbing springs. Besides, the semi-underground construction plan leverages the lava caves in the Memnonia quadrangle, largely reducing the excavation.
The semi-underground structure is also highly resistant to space radiation, as the radiation and temperature differences underground are much smaller than on the Martian surface. Combined with heating support, it can provide a healthy living environment for astronauts.
Meanwhile, the external structure of the base employs a combination of an aluminum alloy and water ice layer to significantly weaken space radiation. The layer is designed with a refrigeration pipeline connected to the refrigeration facilities, ensuring the stability of the water ice. Additionally, the water ice in the layer can act as a backup water supply for emergency use.
Furthermore, to reduce water consumption, improve energy supply, security and reuse, we source locally to obtain materials for the nuclear fission reactor. The molten salt reactor replaces the internal circulation of water with high-temperature molten fluoride salt traditionally used in water-cooled reactors while retaining the external circulation of water, thus minimising water consumption and avoiding nuclear leakage due to uncontrollable cooling systems.
Thanks to abundant energy supply, our base can utilise starch synthesis to produce food. We also improve the food provision through soilless cultivation and various nutritional and flavouring additives. Through system control, oxygen is produced by high temperature and high-pressure electrolysis of carbon dioxide, and ultrapure water is produced by graphene ultrafiltration, ensuring the health and robustness of astronauts. Additionally, the base will be equipped with advanced life support systems, renewable energy, communication equipment and gyms, so that astronauts may enjoy their stay in the base.
