Our moon camp base is intended for scientific research to broaden our understanding of the moon and to set up a foundation for future infrastructural developments on the moon. The team is made up of 6 people which includes 4 scientists who will conduct experiments using resources in the laboratory as well as 2 engineers who will be using the rovers to create habitable spaces in the lava tubes underground for use in future exploration missions in the moon. The base will be made using ISRU (in-situ resource utilization) and is divided into different sections with the main work area and living quarters separated so the astronauts are still able to maintain a healthy lifestyle on the moon. The main aim of our project is to design a moon base which can be used as a forefront for lunar research as well as being a pioneering location in the exploration of space by mankind.

The base is located in the south pole on the rim of the Shackleton Crater which is found in the Aitken Basin. We have chosen this location because of the relatively temperate climate so it is suitable for the astronauts who will not have to experience extreme temperature changes because of the lunar cycle. Furthermore, there are lava tubes which can be used as potential refuge areas during meteor showers and can also protect astronauts from exposure to harmful radiation. The location is also illuminated by sunlight 75-80% of the time which is essential for producing the solar energy needed to power the moon camp. The sunlit area is about 1.25 square kilometers which provides ample space for our base. Additionally, 22% of the material found in the crater may be made up of ice which can be used by the astronauts to extract essential resources such as water.

The main structure of our base will be reinforced with titanium rods brought in by automated aircraft prior to the landing. Once all the material is in place, we plan on using a collapsible 3D printer to build structural blocks by sintering the regolith with directed radiation. Although we expect to have our main base already constructed using remote-controlled automation, the team can then, using the printer, build the rest of the camp and continue to expand.In particular, by using regolith as our main source of building material, it helps our base become self-sufficient. In

Around our main camp, we have made use of berms made from sintered regolith to protect the base from solar winds and radiation as well as situating it in a crater for added shielding. In addition, all our structures are grounded to neutralise the build up of static from the solar winds. We have also constructed a quick access bunker in a nearby lavatube for shelter against meteor showers. This is accessed via a maglev lift for easy access in case of an emergency and works faster than a mechanical pulley system. In addition, Large asteroids are continuously tracked by the ISS and Earth and the information is relayed to our personal satellite. This is then sent directly to our communications centre. Both our satellite and our base have whipple shielding which offers protection from space debris by breaking down the matter before reaching the main structure.

One of the main purposes of our moon camp is to do research into the possibilities of survival for organic life forms such as animals and plants in the moon’s atmosphere which is why our team of scientists will include a biologist who will conduct the research in that area. Both the automated and manually operated rovers will be used by the scientists to understand the moon’s surface by exploring previously inaccessible locations on the moon. The moon camp has an infrared telescope which will be used to broaden our understanding of the celestial bodies in the universe. The engineers will be working on developing the lava tubes underneath the moon’s surface in order to make them habitable for use in future exploration on the moon. The work will consist of infrastructural developments so there is potential for the base to be used as a fuelling station in the future.

There will be a sleeping rota in place at the base scheduled so that at least one crew member is awake at all times. This crew member will be stationed in the communications centre when the rest of the crew is asleep so that they can be alerted in the case of an emergency and notify the rest of the crew. When the crew member wakes, they are expected to wash and eat breakfast, after this they will be expected to complete their tasks for the day. There will be a rotary schedule in place so that two crew members will spend the day monitoring the infrastructure and equipment in the base to check that it is all functioning properly; they will also monitor the power consumption of the base and should they need to they can shut down a few systems so that there is enough power to maintain critical things such as oxygen levels. The rest of the crew will complete their tasks relating to their role on the moon camp. The biologists will conduct research into the possibilities of organic life surviving on the moon’s surface, in addition to this the biologists will also be responsible for managing the aeroponics lab to make sure that the plants are growing properly as they are a vital resource. The other scientists and engineers will take it in turns for two crew members to use the rovers for further research about the moon’s surface. This will be done by either using the manually operated rover for exploration or using the automated rover in locations which may be hazardous for the crew members to venture into themselves. The engineers will spend their day designing and improving the infrastructure in the lava tubes by improving the integrity of the structure and making sure it is habitable so it can be used as residence in future moon exploration missions. The crew members will have lunch and then spend the rest of the day completing any unfinished tasks from the morning. In the evening, the crew members will have the opportunity for some leisure time which they can spend doing an activity of their choosing. The crew members will participate in safety drills which will take place periodically, to make sure that they are prepared in the case of an emergency.