In Moon Camp Pioneers, each team’s mission is to 3D design a complete Moon Camp using the software of their choice. 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.
Özel Bahçeşehir Koleji Fen ve Teknoloji Lisesi Samsun-Turkey Turkey 15, 16 6 / 3 English
3D design software: Fusion 360
In our project, we aimed to design a Moon camp where our targeted trained astronauts will stay comfortable, maintain their scientific research and explore the Moon. We tried to build our camp, easily constructed in line with the available possibilities. In our base’s structure we used biomimicry and we carried our world’s features to the Moon. As an example, in our base’s main structure we used sunflower’s sun tracking and lotus flowers anatomical features to maintain a stable solar energy generation when possible and as our lunar module’s design we used grasshopper biomimicry because of them being able to land on their legs every time they jump. While we built the Moon camp in our main base with our unmanned rovers, we planned to provide their energy from our Energy Generating and Emergency Camp (EGEC) that we will use for its having sunlight %98 of the day. After the construction of the bases, the astronauts will get to work they are assigned to. In order to make sure that all astronauts provide for all their needs and do not delay their work, we planned a schedule. With this system we believe that works can be done on time.
Our main purpose is to use our moon camp as a base for conducting scientific research. As a continuation of doing research, we explore the Moon. With our manned and unmanned Moon rovers we plan to have missions where we collect and return samples of the Moon’s soil, rocks etc. to our base and make these samples studied extensively by our trained astronauts. Because as scientists say, we believe that the Moon could be a source of valuable resources. To support these purposes as mentioned, we provided laboratories for our astronauts where they will work actively. Aforementioned, the laboratories also provide a place for our astronauts to research in the field of astronomy. With these being our main purpose, we also think that in the next phases of building this moon camp, which serves as a first step, it will lead to establishing a permanent presence on the Moon.
We plan to establish our main base (Alpha) in Archimedes Crater (39.7° N, 4.2° W), which is located in the southwestern region of the Moon. The flat floor of the crater provides a relatively stable surface for constructing a lunar base and landing area for space rockets, and the stable temperature makes it a suitable place for astronauts to live and conduct research. Additionally, the crater has underground water sources that are essential for sustaining life and generating energy.
As sunlight mostly reaches the De Gerlache Crater (88.71°S, 68.7°W) ridge for 14 days per lunation, we have decided to establish EGEC on the ridge, which is only 220 kilometers (136 miles) away from Archimedes Crater. The ridge is ideal for producing energy with solar hydrogen panels since it receives sunlight for up to 98% of the day.
To produce our base’s main structures, we will use our big 3D printers. After building our main structure we plan to create a protector layer, which will consist of moon regolith, to provide the most protected moon base that we would build.
We will use the Moon regolith for building the bases because;
In conclusion, through the Moon regolith is found on the Moon, it would be easy to build bases as fast after astronauts landing.
Moon regolith containing iron, aluminum and silicon, is a protector and absorber of radiation and high reflectivity, which is why we choose to use it as our protector layer.
Also, it is a good material to be protected from meteorites with acting as a barrier that will stand against meteorites and prevent any damage which would harm the base and equipments. In addition, it is able to absorb the impact of meteorites, which would be dangerous for lunar habitat.
Moreover, it provides thermal insulation for the base and equipment on the Moon’s surface. By the help of the layer it provides, it can absorb and release heat and as a matter of fact, it helps to regulate temperature.
In terms of protection from possible danger, we have two ways and one emergency plan that we are going to accord.
First of all, we are going to use an early warning system that will detect meteorites which are coming towards the Moon and the base. According to meteorite’s speed, size and the location it is found; astronauts are going to move depending on the circumstances, because of this, they have two possible ways:
Plan 1: If the meteorite is small enough that won’t damage our base, astronauts will be evicted from the base to the shelter which will be under our base so that it will be embraced by thick moon regolith that provide safety. After the hazard has passed, astronauts will detect damages that the base has taken, and then they are going to start repairing the base via rovers.
Plan 2: If the meteorite is big and close to our base, we are going to activate our emergency plan which is to go to our Bravo base via rovers as fast as after our evacuation.
In order to provide water, we plan to collect iced water around the places covered in shadow. To avoid any infections, this collected iced water will be melted and filtered. The last product, filtered water, will be stored in water tanks for future needs. In addition, Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative (MELISSA) will be used to have clean water from daily usage (urine, hygiene uses etc.).
To provide food sources we will use soilless agriculture (Hydroponic Agriculture). In this system, which guarantees products even under adverse agricultural conditions, the water and nutrient needs of the plants are met in a controlled manner. In soilless agriculture, the risk of diseases arising from the soil is directly eliminated, the need for extra labor is reduced and more products are obtained through the process. One of its main advantages is that hydroponic systems use only 10% of the water used in normal agriculture. Moreover, it is planned to produce some food supplements that are high in protein, vitamins and minerals using a certain kind of green algaes called “Chlorella” in our biodome.
When it’s needed, the oxygen will be provided through solar hydrogen panels and biodome. In addition to purifying water via MELISSA, we are planning to convert Co2 to O2 through micro-algaes. According to some estimates, 1kg of algae can produce between 1 and 2.5kg of oxygen. Considering an average human’s daily consumption of oxygen being 0.75kg, although this method is not a current way that second is being used right now, it is a notably efficient way to produce oxygen.
As energy sources, we are going to use three different ways which are; solar hydrogen panels, fusion reactors and the energy we gain by burning wastes. Detailed explanations of these methods used, are shown in the external viewer section.
We are planning to deal with wastes in several solutions:
First way to handle them is composting. Organic wastes on the Moon can be transformed into soil by composting and it can be used for growing plants and agriculture.
Second way to deal with wastes is to burn them with oxygen. During this process, organic wastes in the leavings are getting burned and as a result of this process, energy will be released which is planned to be used as a resource for our base besides solar hydrogen panels and fusion reactors. On the other hand, while this option provides us energy it can also cause some disadvantages. To prevent these possible consequences, attention should be paid to the content of the materials to be composted and the gases that can occur after the processing must be taken under control in a way that it won’t harm the atmosphere.
In order to provide communication with other bases, satellites operating in the VHF band in the radio wave spectrum are used. The satellite, which is designed to provide this communication, has a mast design in order to immobilize the satellite to the ground and reduce the loss of signal strength. On top of this structure, there is the body structure, which contains the electronic circuit and the movable satellite dish, which will also reduce the loss of signal strength through pointing the dish to another satellite.
Beside these, to provide communication with the Earth we also planned to use the satellite in our main base to communicate with a satellite orbiting the earth. The main reason that we chose a satellite which is at outside the atmosphere to provide communication is to prevent the possible loss of signal.
Lot of scientific studies are being carried out in our world. Carrying these studies to the Moon can give us many advantages. Also we believe that some researches can be done more comprehensively on the Moon. For example:
Astronomy: Moon’s lack of atmosphere and low light pollution make it a great location for astronomical observation.The empty land also provides us to build big telescopes and labs to work with. With our high tech telescopes, we can observe the stars, galaxies and much more with a clearer view.
Geochemistry: With this branch of science, it offers us the chance to closely observe the chemical processes that make up the Moon and the minerals in the underground resources. These information can be the sources for future research and experiments.
Testing ground for future technology: With vacant land and lack of human activity, future projects can be tested without any dire consequences. This can help us freely experiment with our technology and help us develop them faster with the results in mind.
New resource areas: It is a common fact that Earth’s resources are limited, which leads us to a new problem of, “Where can we find new resources to use?”. This is where the Moon’s surface, rich in elements and compounds, comes in handy. We can collect and store these resources and use them in our other experiments or needs.
Lunar seismology: Lunar seismology can be defined as motion of the ground, like moonquakes and movement events at the Moon’s surface. Although several seismographic measuring systems have already been installed, it still has limitations and lack of information.With proper settlements and closer examines we believe more can be found. New findings may lead to new ways to get energy using moonquakes
And more research can be done.
After the selection of astronauts, they will complete a training program at least three to four years as it is implemented in ESA before going into space for the first time.
As a first step, they will have basic training which takes 12 months. During this time, astronauts will learn all Space Station systems, transportation vehicles and the principles of robotic operations. Moreover, they are going to learn how to set up a moon camp, solar hydrogen panels, or have oxygen in biodome etc. They are going to be informed about the principles of the system they’ll need. Also, they are going to get used to living without gravity and control their body gravity-free environment.
After the basic training, they will have pre-assignment training which they are going to learn more and develop their knowledge about Space Station systems and take special trainings in several places like Houston in the USA, Star City in Russia, JAXA’s Tsukuba Center in Japan and Saint-Hubert/Montreal in Canada.
After these preparation steps, astronauts are ready to be assigned into a mission, trainings about the mission they are assigned is getting started. During this process, they are going to be trained with their crew to make them get used to each other. Moreover, they learn their responsibilities, and how to work together. In addition, they are going to be informed about what to do in an emergency situation and evacuation plans.
After their arrival to the Space Station or to the Moon, they will continue their training by live communications between Earth and videos. Also, they will still learn robotic and spacecraft operations by trying them on live and on simulation.
There are 3 rovers designed for astronauts to successfully complete their missions on the Moon. The main tasks of these rovers are construction, drilling, storage and transportation of astronauts. One of the most important elements in the designs was the wheels of the rovers. The rover wheels are inspired by the mecanum wheel and the mars perseverance rover wheels. The main features of these wheels are that they are resistant to the difficulties that may be encountered on the lunar surface and facilitate transportation. Specifically, the feature of Mecanum wheels is that they can move in any way. At the same time, the inspiration from the mars perseverance rover ensured the vehicle to have a full 360 degrees. On the other hand, considering the transportation to and from Earth, we used grasshopper legs’ biomimicry on the lunar module to make its landing easier and take-off faster.
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