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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.

CR

郑州轻工业大学附属中学  河南省郑州市-金水区    China 18, 19   4 / 2 English
3D design software: Fusion 360



1.1 – Project Description

Konstantin Tsiolkovsky once said: “The earth is the cradle of mankind, but human beings cannot be bound in the cradle forever”, for this reason our camp is positioned as a scientific research base and transit station, we hope to achieve a long-term stay of astronauts and carry out related scientific research at the beginning of the establishment of the base. The control center and rest area are located in the center of the camp, as the brain controls the operation of the camp, the peripheral area is scattered with some specific functional areas to expand the function of the camp and the scope of personnel activities, the functional area includes oxygen production area, production and cultivation area, catering area, solar power area, scientific research area, medical area, of which the scientific research area is responsible for geological research and resource exploration of the moon, etc., the medical area contains a psychological room and an infirmary, respectively, responsible for the psychological and health problems of personnel, and the cultivation area provides food supply for the camp, These are just preliminary camp plans, after which the camp will play a greater role as a transit point for humanity into deep space.

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).

Our camp takes scientific research as the main task, researching the resource distribution of the moon, the composition of the lunar soil, and the search for and development of energy sources (such as helium III), which are aimed at laying the foundation for future space exploration and planetary migration, and building the camp into a transit station for mankind to deep space in the future.

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

The establishment of a lunar camp should first consider important factors affecting the presence of personnel, such as water, energy, and security, so we chose to build the camp in Shackleton Crater at the south pole of the moon. Parts of Shackleton Crater have year-round sunlight, which can provide a steady stream of solar energy for the camp, and at the same time, due to the topography, there is a permanent shaded area in the crater, which can provide sufficient domestic water for the camp, and at the same time can achieve large-scale oxygen production by electrolysis of water. And here is located at the south pole of the moon, there are few meteorites.

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.

We plan to carry out camp construction in three steps, the first step, launch construction equipment and communication equipment to the moon, such as lunar rovers, drones, etc., through the spherical antenna on the ground and lunar relay communication satellites, use video remote control to achieve unmanned excavation, mining, and provide materials for subsequent camp construction, the second step, through the materials obtained in the first stage, use 3D printing technology for camp construction, initially realize the long-term residence of personnel, carry out related scientific research, the third step, Serve as a transit station to support future space exploration and planetary migration

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

Long-term residence in the moon is threatened by cosmic radiation, extreme temperature difference between day and night, moon dust, meteorite impact and other factors.

Radiation: We plan to add a layer of moon rock regolith to the outside of the building to protect against radiation, and we plan to cultivate some radiation-resistant plants, such as strawberries and green peppers, which will help reduce the harm of space radiation to astronauts

Temperature Difference: Use thermostatic technology to keep the temperature inside the building constant.

Moon dust: First, all buildings are sealed, and the buildings are mainly spherical and dome-shaped, which can realize the natural sinking of moon dust, secondly, each building is connected by pipelines, and an intermediate area is set up as a dust removal area on the pipeline.

Meteorite impact: Scattered arrangement between buildings to reduce the loss of meteorite impact, and the base is built in Antarctica, meteorites are rare.

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

Water:

The camp’s water supply mainly relies on Antarctic ice water, which is collected and heated and melted by solar energy, and we will build a water recycling system to collect and treat wastewater and reuse water resources.

Food:

We plan to cultivate some vegetables and fruits such as soybeans, tomatoes, strawberries, and green peppers.

Green pepper: rich in vitamin C, carotene and other antioxidants, can help remove harmful free radicals in the body, reduce radiation harm, timely supplement vitamins, disperse cold and dampness, spicy taste can stimulate gastric juice and saliva secretion, improve appetite.

Soybeans: 3D printing technology is used to make soybean flour and other products that resemble meat, and enrich the variety of foods

Tomatoes: quench thirst, strengthen the stomach and eliminate food, adjust gastrointestinal function and help digestion when the amount of lunar exercise is less. At the same time, it is rich in vitamins and fiber.

Strawberry: It is difficult to grow, has a high survival rate, and has a sweet taste, which can be made into a variety of different foods to enrich the astronauts’ diet. At the same time, it has anti-radiation effect.

Air:

Oxygen supply is achieved by electrolysis of water to oxygen + electrolysis of molten lunar soil.

Electrolyzed water: 2H2O==2H2↑+O2↑ (energized)

Electrolytic molten lunar soil: 2FeO + 2SiO2 + 202–> 2Fe + 2Si02 + 02

power:

The camp uses electricity as the operating energy source, and the carbon nanofibers obtained by using 3D printing technology can be used to make solar cells, which can generate electricity and store electricity at the same time, and the surplus electricity can be stored in other batteries for backup energy.

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

Establish a garbage disposal facility on the moon to sort and dispose of garbage.

Recycling and reuse: Some garbage items, such as wastewater and carbon dioxide, can be recycled and reused. These materials can be filtered and processed to produce food and oxygen.

Compression and storage: Garbage can be compressed into smaller volumes and stored in the storage area to reduce space consumption.

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

We plan to use satellites to enable communication between the Earth and the Moon and between the Lunar base.

Communication satellites on Earth can provide two-way communication with lunar camps. This method of communication can be transmitted using radio waves or lasers. Devices on the lunar camp communicate with communication satellites via radio antennas and laser communication equipment, and then with communication centers on Earth via satellites. On Earth, communications centers can use a variety of devices and technologies to receive, process, and transmit information from lunar camps. These devices include satellite receivers, data transmission equipment, computers and networks. Similarly, satellites can be used to communicate with other lunar camps.

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.).

We plan to conduct scientific research on lunar geology and resources, artificial gravity, lunar ecosystem cycles, etc. on the moon.

Geology: Understand the surface information of the moon through drone photography, and on this basis, use the lunar rover to collect and study the lunar soil in key areas to obtain the geological structure and resource distribution information of the moon

Artificial gravity: Artificial gravity is achieved through a short-arm centrifuge, which astronauts can use to conduct research on artificial gravity.

Biology: Use EVA pots to create a small ecosystem in the growing area where symbiotic relationships are established between the fish and flora that live. Fish produce ammonia as waste, producing toxic substances in large quantities. As it happens, ammonia contains nitrogen, which is necessary for photosynthesis and helps plants grow.

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

Physical training: gravity load simulation, aerobic and anaerobic exercise, which can help astronauts adapt to the physical demands of long-term space flights and lunar missions.

Psychological training: Lunar missions have high requirements for astronauts’ psychological quality and coping ability. Therefore, astronauts need to be trained and coached by psychologists to adapt to long periods of space isolation and extreme environments.

Research on the Earth-Moon environment: Astronauts need to understand the weather, topography, minerals and other characteristics of the Earth and the Moon. This will help them complete their tasks more safely.

Emergency training: Astronauts need to be trained and rehearsed to respond to emergencies to ensure that they can respond correctly and take action in critical situations.

Communication and collaboration training: Astronauts need to learn how to effectively communicate and collaborate with ground control centers and other astronauts to ensure successful mission completion.

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 construction and development of our lunar camp requires lunar landing rockets, lunar landing modules, lunar orbiters, lunar rovers, UAVs.

Lunar rockets: Lunar rockets are responsible for transporting all equipment for camp construction to the moon.

Lunar Landing Module: Astronauts can use the landing module to return to Earth.

Lunar Orbiter: provides lunar surface and magnetic field information for the camp,and monitors lunar weather and meteorite conditions.

Lunar rover and drone: Exploration and scientific research on the moon in search of mineral resources such as water.

Other projects: