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Moon Camp Pioneers 2022 – 2023 Project Gallery

 

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.

STAR WALKIN’

郑州轻工业附属中学  河南省郑州市-金水区    China 18, 19   4 / 1 English
3D design software: Fusion 360



1.1 – Project Description

In order to better explore the universe, we have built this base. The main building of the camp has a spherical shape and a total of nine floors. In addition, there is an astronomical observation station on the top floor. The main building includes a living room, work area, restaurant, gym, KTV, bedroom, medical room, crop cultivation room, and control room. In addition, there are also energy stations, solar power generation devices, radar monitoring stations, lunar rovers, and laser cannons. The camp obtains energy supply through solar energy and nuclear fusion power generation, and supplies water through water ice development and water circulation. The built crop breeding room can provide food on the one hand, and on the other hand, it can also realize carbon dioxide circulation into oxygen, which can guarantee the basic living needs of camp personnel. At the same time, KTVs and gyms also provide leisure and entertainment venues for camp members. There is also a workspace built to provide a good working environment for members. In short, to improve the construction of lunar campsites and provide personnel with a good sense of experience.

1.2 – Why do you want to build a Moon Camp? Explain the main purpose of your Moon Camp (for example scientific, commercial and/or touristic purposes).

The moon may have some useful resources, such as water and rare minerals. These resources can be used to support space exploration and provide follow-up space technology development, so it is necessary to build a lunar camp. The main purpose of our lunar campsite is for scientific research. Through the development of space resources and the development of the space industry, we conduct scientific research and exploration on the reserves of lunar resources. It is an important step towards understanding life and work in unfamiliar environments on other planets, and is the best place for conducting materials science and life science research. The moon has abundant material resources, with lunar rocks containing all the elements in the crust and about 60 types of mineral deposits. It is also rich in energy sources such as helium-3, which is not found on Earth. It is an ideal fuel for fusion reactors.

2.1 – Where do you want to build your Moon Camp? Explain your choice.

Choosing to establish a base in the North Pole of the Moon, as the North Pole is located in the polar region, long-term low temperatures may contain a large amount of water ice, and the Moon Sea (plain area) is mostly concentrated in the North Pole of the Moon, providing more space for camp construction. According to media reports, NASA has discovered a lava cave near the North Pole of the Moon, with a lunar shell several tens of meters long, providing a natural protective shell to prevent impact events and cosmic ray radiation, It is also an ideal location for the base.

2.2 – How do you plan to build your Moon Camp? Consider how you can utilise the Moon’s natural resources, and which materials you would need to bring from Earth. Describe the techniques, materials and your design choices.

On the construction of campsites, on the one hand, some facilities can be constructed using resources brought from Earth. The garbage generated on it can be mixed with the soil on the moon in a certain proportion to produce raw materials for 3D printers, which can be used to build more things. On the other hand, adding urea to a lunar geological polymer mixture (a building material similar to concrete) can be used as a raw material for campsite construction, with better effects than other common plasticizers such as naphthalene or polycarboxylates. On the construction of campsites, on the one hand, some facilities can be constructed using resources brought from Earth. The garbage generated on it can be mixed with the soil on the moon in a certain proportion to produce raw materials for 3D printers, which can be used to build more things. On the other hand, adding urea to a lunar geological polymer mixture (a building material similar to concrete) can be used as a raw material for campsite construction, with better effects than other common plasticizers such as naphthalene or polycarboxylates.

2.3 – How does your Moon Camp protect and provide shelter to your astronauts against the Moon’s harsh environment?

Firstly, the base is built at the entrance of the lava cave, which has a lunar shell several tens of meters long, providing a natural protective shell to prevent impact events and cosmic ray radiation. For larger meteorite threats, laser cannons are also built to ensure safety. The campsite building has a special polymer coating outside to deal with the impact of the large temperature difference between day and night on the moon and block space radiation.

3.1 – How will your Moon Camp provide astronauts with sustainable access to basic needs like water, food, air and power?

In terms of water resources, on the one hand, water brought from the Earth, daily bathing water, urine, and evaporated sweat from the human body are used for absorption and recycling. On the other hand, water ice on the moon can be developed and utilized to obtain usable drinking water.

In terms of food, the camp has a crop cultivation room, which ensures the dietary needs of the camp members with various crops, fruits, vegetables, etc.

In terms of energy, the camp is built with solar power stations and controllable nuclear fusion power stations, so that even the polar regions are in the polar night, there is also energy supply.

On the air, on the one hand, oxygen is generated through the electrolysis of water ice, and on the other hand, carbon dioxide is converted through the photosynthesis of green plants.

3.2 – How will your Moon Camp deal with the waste produced by the astronauts on the Moon?

Some materials in waste are recycled and reused to reduce the demand for lunar resources. For example, using water purifiers and disinfection systems for wastewater treatment to ensure the reuse of water resources and prevent the generation of excessive pollutants on the moon. The method of high-temperature melting is used to convert waste into raw materials that can be used for construction and manufacturing materials. For toxic or hazardous waste, we use safe and feasible methods for classified storage and disposal to avoid harm to astronauts, the lunar environment, and equipment.

3.3 – How will your Moon Camp maintain communications with Earth and other Moon bases?

Deploy communication network infrastructure, such as satellites, exploration vehicles, and antennas. Utilize the detection vehicle as a mobile communication relay to expand the communication network range of the base. These exploration vehicles can traverse the lunar surface, establish and maintain communication links with lunar bases, and transmit messages to Earth.

4.1 – What scientific topic(s) would be the focus of the research in your Moon Camp? Explain which experiments you plan to do on the Moon (for example in the topics of geology, low gravity environment, biology, technology, robotics, astronomy etc.).

The Geological Society is a research focus, and the surface of the moon is covered with a large amount of rocks and soil, which are crucial for understanding the composition and evolutionary history of the moon. Precision instruments can be used for chemical and physical testing of these samples to understand their composition, structure, age, and other information. Search for remnants such as craters, hills, faults, and rock formations on the surface of the moon to understand its formation and evolution. For example, by studying the location, size, morphology, and chemical composition of the relics, it can be inferred which important geological events the moon has experienced or been impacted by other celestial bodies in the solar system.

5.1 – What would you include in your astronaut training programme, to help prepare the astronauts for a Moon mission?

Astronauts need to operate spacecraft and equipment such as landers, lunar rovers, and drones, and training should cover the operational skills of various spacecraft and equipment as well as emergency response capabilities in emergency situations. The moon landing mission requires extremely high physical and mental fitness, and the ability of astronauts to perform tasks under special conditions cannot be lower than a certain standard. Therefore, the training plan should include training for astronauts’ physical fitness, so that they can adapt to long-term space environments and the lunar surface. In the universe, astronauts face many challenges, such as weightlessness, cabin environment, and spacecraft structural limitations. This requires astronauts to undergo space adaptability training to adapt to these challenges. Astronauts usually complete tasks as part of a team, so for teamwork, communication, and leadership skills, astronauts need corresponding training to ensure that the team operates well during the mission. In space, astronauts may face various emergency situations, such as loss of communication, spacecraft malfunctions, etc. To this end, astronauts should be trained and trained in emergency response abilities and skills through simulated scenarios and simulators. Astronauts may need to collect samples from the moon, and even if the main purpose of exploration is not scientific, they still need to understand basic scientific operations and on-site collection skills.

5.2 – What space vehicles will your future Moon mission need? Describe the vehicles found in your Moon camp and consider how you will travel to and from Earth, and explore new destinations on the Moon’s surface.

The lunar module is used to reach the moon and land on its surface. The landing module should have a sturdy and sufficiently sturdy structure to withstand the immense pressure of landing and the complex terrain conditions on the lunar surface. The landing module should also have sufficient carrying capacity to carry human or cargo materials to the moon. Lunar rovers are used to travel on the surface of the moon, approach scientific exploration targets, and search for lunar surface relics or minerals. Rockets are used to return to Earth from the surface of the moon, and they have sufficient propulsion capability and structural strength to ensure the safe return of humans to Earth.