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: Nyx

Colegiul National „Ion C. Bratianu”  Pitesti    Romania 17, 18

External viewer for 3d project

Project description

We have designed our Moon Camp to sustain a maximum of eight astronauts for an indefinite period of time, while also allowing the possibility of further expansion. The purpose of our camp is to provide everything necessary for living and carrying out a wide range of experiments in varying areas of study. The base uses natural and local resources, such as oxygen and water from the soil, as well as using solar energy, therefore being almost self-sustainable. All of these are also accessible at all times, regardless of external factors (the sun’s position, temperature, radiation etc.). The building materials were carefully chosen for easy transportation and thorough protection from the unfriendly environment. We strategically chose the building site to minimize the effort and resources required, as well as the risks. The Moon Camp has also  been designed to safely divide all areas while maintaining accessibility, both underground and on the surface.

Where do you want to build your Moon Camp?

We have thoughtfully placed our camp near the north pole, having taken into account many aspects. Firstly, we have decided that constant sunlight is crucially important in order for our base to properly function (we will be using solar panels). Moreover this allows us to build the camp in a lava tube (lava tubes can reach 300 m in width and 40 m in depth), which provides further protection from both radiation, which can be extremely harmful, and meteorites. However, only the living quarters and labs will be placed underground, while the greenhouse and the farm will be built on the surface, in order for the plants and animals to receive  the sunlight they need. Another highly important factor is the lack of variation in temperature (0˚C – -50˚C), compared to other areas of the moon, where it can reach -233˚C. Lastly, craters with ice can be found at the poles, which provide us with another stable source of water.

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

The first thing that happens when the astronauts arrive, is the inflation of a tent that will be their shelter until the base is built. It will also contain the materials that will be used for construction, as well as a 3D printer, so there are less things that need to be brought from Earth. All the air-sealed doors will lead directly to depressurization rooms which will connect the exterior with the inner parts of the buildings.

 First and foremost, the shape of our base has been thoughtfully chosen. To minimize the space used in the lava tube, we have designed the living quarters, labs and med bay as half a cylinder, and they will be close to each other for accessibility and efficiency. The building will be constructed using aluminum, because the weight to durability ratio is in our advantage. Some of the furniture will be made of cardboard and it will transported deconstructed in order to take up less space.  The upper structures are dome-shaped, as these have less weak spots, and will be made out of polyethylene, which is the most resistant, transportable material. It also works against radiation and solar flares.

The rovers have access from the lower to the upper part of the base via a mobile platform which will have a metal fence for the safety of the robot and astronauts.

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

Our Moon Camp is specifically designed with the astronauts’ safety in mind. Contrary to popular belief, the moon is not the friendliest place to live. For example, a main threat is meteorites. This phenomenon can occur unexpectedly, so our base must be protected at all times. This is the reason why we decided to build it underground, in a lava tube. Regarding the buildings situated on the surface, they will be made out of extremely resistant materials, such as polyethylene (which can also shield all living things from harmful radiation). Their shape is also in favor of their protection, as we decided to build them in the shape of a dome. The underground placement of the living quarters and labs prevent them from being damaged by radiation and occasional solar flares. If we were to build them on the surface, all the materials used would have to be much more complex in order to protect them.

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

We have designed a special system that allows us to extract water from the soil. After the extraction, the clean water goes towards the sinks, showers and greenhouse, and some of it is stored for the purpose of consumption. We use a hydroponic system for watering the plants, and after leaving the greenhouse the water goes to the toilets and the farm. All the water from the bathroom and other sources is then recycled, and the process repeats itself. This way, no water is wasted and therefore less resources are required.

As we mentioned before, our base is almost self-sustainable, which means it includes many codependent elements that provide us with constant food. The main sources of sustenance are the greenhouse and the farm, which closely help each other function, with the help of a compost station. The compost is filled with residue from the farm, and then helps the plants grow faster and healthier. As all of these are placed on the surface of the north pole (where there is constant sunlight and radiation), the plants and animals require retractable blinds, since they cannot function with more than a certain amount of light daily.

Since the astronauts have to survive in a hostile environment, it is vitally important to have more than one source of power, in case of emergency. The first one consists in solar panels placed around the camp, which are continuously powered by sunlight (which is constant at the north pole). The second is the compost station, as the gas can be turned into electricity and heat. Both of these sources are renewable, therefore making our power system self-sustainable and ecological, because our goal is to preserve the environment, not take advantage of the resources there, as it is done to our planet nowadays.

It goes without saying that at first they will need to bring oxygen tanks from Earth. However, one of the most efficient solution is to extract oxygen from the soil, as the moon surface is rich in gases. Another tremendously reliable source is the greenhouse, with the right ventilation system (the plants use CO2 and emit O2). Furthermore, we have strategically placed water tanks with algae around the base, which also emit a great amount of oxygen. By combining all the means we have at our disposal, we will create a high-functioning ventilation system which will not require substantial amounts of power.

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

This Moon Camp’s main purpose is scientific research. The astronauts will focus on geology, chemistry and biology, like studying the soil, meteorites and other substances. Additionally, we will study human  behavior in these never-seen-before conditions, such as radiation,  the absence of gravity and air, the variation in air pressure and extreme temperature fluctuations. The researchers will constantly have to analyze samples of skin, run tests, experiments, and most importantly, take pictures of any changes that may occur. Moreover they will have to keep track of any symptoms or abnormal behavior they might observe in themselves or others. Another important activity will be testing new cutting-edge gear that will be further used in space exploring expeditions. The robots can collect samples and explore parts of the Moon that humans may not be able to reach. These will be firstly seen in undiscovered habitats.

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

Every day on the Moon brings out new opportunities to research the undiscovered environment and test out the new gear. Since the concept of day and night is altered on the Moon, the astronauts must have functioning watches and clocks in order to maintain a stable sleep schedule. Without at least eight hours of sleep, they will lose their energy, productivity and agility. In the morning, they will do their mandatory workout, and eat a nutritious meal. Every day, there will be lab workers (geology, biology and chemistry) on duty, working on different experiments. Each one of the specialists will be on shifts in the med bay, in case of emergency or other health issues. The human behavior analyst will also be on duty most days. There is going to be a mechanic/IT specialist which will monitor the rovers’ and robots’ functionality on a daily basis. They will also take care of the gadgets in the communication room, so contact with Earth is constant and uninterrupted. Although most of their activity consists of experimental work and research, they will periodically take time off to wind down and do maintenance. The field explorer/driver will either assist the lab worker on longer trips, or go scouting on their own. If no assistance is needed, they can just monitor the cameras attached to the robots from the base, to make sure they are following the route and no obstacles are hindering their movement. The upper buildings will need assistance only every few days, because the watering and feeding are mostly automatic.

With a seamless program, the astronauts will be able to lead healthy, fulfilling lives, full of discoveries and opportunities.



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