moon_camp

Moon Camp Pioneers Gallery 2020-2021

In Moon Camp Pioneers each team’s mission is to 3D design a complete Moon Camp using Fusion 360. They also have to explain how they will use local resources, protect astronauts from the dangerous of space and describe the living and working facilities.

Team: CMI

St Fintan’s high school  Dublin    Ireland 18

External viewer for 3d project

Project description

The function of our base will be polymorphous. Initial functions are to survive and perfect survival on the moon. We hope improvements in methods of growing foods and extracting water will become more efficient as time is spent there. The next stage of our goal is to facilitate further research of other planets. Rocket fuel can be created on the moon. This will allow us to use the moon as a pitstop. The rocket will achieve escape velocity from the moon with ease. The rockets used to escape earth will be dropped off and left on earth leaving the rocket with a lesser mass. This will allow us to carry less fuel on the initial launch which means the rocket can carry more objects needed for survival on those planets and integrate  more safety features that may have been deemed unnecessary if weight was more of a concern.

 

Where do you want to build your Moon Camp?

We believe that the lunar south pole is the optimum area for colonization. In our moonbase, solar energy will be a primary source of reliable energy. There is a hypothetical peak of eternal light on every astronomical body. On the moon this is at the south pole. There is a peak called epsilon peak, we can position our solar panels on this peak to avail of as much light as possible for as prolonged a period of time as possible. The only exception to this peak of eternal light is when eclipses caused by the earth take place. This in our opinion is a worthy sacrifice for increased energy production throughout the year. The lunar south pole also contains permanently frozen ice sections contained in the shadow of the large craters.

 

How do you plan to build your Moon Camp? Describe the techniques and materials you would use.

We designed a system of hexagonal pods that would stack together and make up a single use rocket. Therefore we will be able to recycle the whole vessel. Through asteroid mining we would be able to acquire valuable resources like platinum, iron, aluminium etc. this will allow us to employ some more common and often used practices to strengthen the base and build from it. Thin outer panels would have a spray on insulation.

Metallic microlattice used for the structural support of the base. It can be configured and is extremely light. It could potentially be used as a structure for the rocket and re-used for the base. 

Everything would be built by hand as everything weighs less on the moon. For heavier parts, the mining rover can contribute. Essential equipment would be set up first by prioritising air, water, bedding and communications. An initial supply of oxygen and water would last a month, to give time to harvesting equipment to come online.

 

 

The environment on the Moon is very dangerous for the astronauts. Explain how your Moon Camp will protect them.

The pods are specifically designed to block out harmful rays. Pods help shelter crew from UV. The outer walls of the base will be adequately protected from the extreme temperatures on the surface at night using phenolic based insulation, furthermore the airlock will be deadlock sealed through the night until the day comes and temperatures become survivable. The deadlock can only be broken by a special key held by the captain. Furthermore, there is the potential for geothermal energy on the moon. In theory the magma under the surface could be found with advanced scanning technology. This magma would cause steam which could be vented through the base as further protection from the freezing temperatures. Specialised boots will be required whenever the crew must venture outside the base. These boots will be made of nylon.This is cut-proof, the glass like dust of the moon will not damage the boots. In case of incoming asteroids, we have what we call ‘safety nukes’.

 

Explain how your Moon Camp will provide the astronauts with:
Water
Food
Electricity
Air

Water will be acquired through mining moon rock. Fragments of ice in the rock will be melted down and filtered ,and then pumped into the pipe system. The water collected is stored into tanks to be used at a later date. We’ll add chlorine and fluoride to improve water quality. There’s a Sabatier reactor that would convert CO2 and hydrogen to methane and water. Methane would help make rocket fuel.

Our astronauts main source of food will be fish and vegetables. We would be using the techniques of aquaponics to grow both. Nutrients from fish like ammonia are great for plant growth. We designed our system to be as compact as possible to save space. There will be a pod dedicated to plant growing and fish rearing. Each would have temperature and humidity be controlled. The fish tanks would have oxygen pumped in to maintain constant ppm.

We have solar arrays to capture the power of the sun. The energy is stored in liquid metal batteries because they have more cycles than lithium and its cells are highly tolerant of over-charging or over-discharging, and are not subject to thermal runaway, electrolyte decomposition, or electrolyte off-gassing. The battery storage system is designed to swivel out for easy maintenance.

Water harvested from moon soil is utilised in electrolysis to create oxygen and hydrogen. Oxygen would be slowly added inside the moon base at a controlled rate to avoid oxygen poisoning. An air filter filters dust particles out of the air to prevent it from damaging delicate equipment/systems. Nitrogen is brought up from Earth as it is extremely rare on the moon.

Explain what would be the main purpose of your Moon Camp (for example: commercial, scientific, and/or tourist purposes).

Our moon-base will be for scientific purposes only.Our moon base would support a wide range of ongoing tests in the fields of biology, physics, chemistry and astronomy. We will push the boundaries of science to its logical limit ,and surpass it. Top scientists will be able to easily send their experiments to the base for experiment by the crew. 

Our success will hopefully create a culture where space travel is continued to be looked up at and not only respected but desired. This will inspire more people to get involved in the exploration of our galaxy in their own way. Whether it be donating 2 euro at your local supermarket or rising through the ranks to become the next neil armstrong. 

As a result of our explorations and continued advances towards innovation we hope to create spin-off technologies that would benefit people on earth.

 

Describe a day on the Moon for your Moon Camp astronaut crew.

The astronauts would wake up at a designated time for their duties. Brush their teeth, comb their hair and have some bland space food. Check the comms, talk with others and check data sets gained from last night. Ensure the essential equipment is fully functional. If any equipment is found to be unoperational, repairs must be made. Exercising takes place in shifts in the gym pod as there must be a quorum of crew members monitoring and working at all times for maximum efficiency. Toilet and shower use is based on a timetable. Each person has access to the shower once every 2 days and the toilet 4 times a day. This increases efficiency and decreases water use. 

Some crew members may venture outside to mine resources or work on new pods and equipment. Crewmates have the option of maneuvering excavation vehicles using virtual reality inside the base. Vr controlled vehicles can go long distances using signal repeaters.

Other crewmates would stay inside to conduct experiments or maintenance work, keeping vital systems working smoothly like energy, IT, air, water and aquaponics then focusing on storage logistics, experiment timetables etc. Crew would need to assess the health of fish and plants in the aquaponic system. Filters would be regularly cleaned by crew to sustain health. 

The crew would harvest food from the aquaponic systems in cycles where a constant rate of food is harvested. 

Astronauts will have allotted time throughout the day to work on personal but scientific endeavours.

Dust is a problem for all the sensitive equipment and sensors in and outside the base. Therefore they’ll need constant cleaning where possible, things like handrails, doors, walls, work tables etc. They will use antimicrobial wipes to wipe all surfaces. 

Crewmates would all eat in the ‘mother-pod’ in the evening and socialize. The crew check the systems once again before going to bed ready to do it all over again for the benefit of mankind.

 



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