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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.

LittleSunspot

XMaker school chengdu-sichuan China 13, 14, 16 4 / 0 English
3D design software: Fusion 360

External Viewer for 3D Project

External URL to the team’s project (e.g. website or PDF):

lunarrover-https://a360.co/41wopkw

1.1 – Project Description

Our lunar camp consists of two main bodies, a mobile camp, a stationary camp consisting of a central circular module, three functional modules, and a rectangular rocket launch pad.

The stationary camp includes: a core cabin, which has various data monitoring and rest functions for the camp. There is a channel with a viewing and pressure transformation function between the core cabin and the rocket launch pad, which is also the storage place for the space suits needed for exploration. The solar panels are located outside the channel and are the main source of electricity for the camp. The other end of the pressure transformation channel is the power distribution room, responsible for managing the electricity generated by the solar panels. The left and right cabins are: the cultivation cabin, used for planting necessary nutritious foods such as vegetables and potatoes; the experiment cabin, providing a daily scientific experiment environment for astronauts.

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).

Lunar camps can be used as temporary stops, or to bring raw materials and fuel to the moon, and a lot of useful information can be obtained by establishing lunar camps, exploring the situation on the lunar surface, providing enough information for future deep lunar exploration, and establishing a foundation for lunar exploration. In addition, lunar camps can serve as a basis for space engineering research, research can be conducted, new tools can be used to improve daily space activities, and lunar exploration work can be carried out. By establishing a lunar camp, a variety of scientific experiments can be carried out on the lunar surface, and a deeper understanding of the nature of the moon and space can be obtained, and the lunar camp can be used as a base for humans to cross the moon and explore the universe

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

We chose the site near the South Pole, where the sunlight lasts long enough, and the camp’s energy comes mainly from solar energy. Also considering the convenience of getting water ice, we chose a flat area near water ice.

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.

The camp can be built using a dedicated 3D printer.The 3D printer is first transported to the moon by rocket. The building materials mainly consist of moon rocks and soil. The machine can automatically build the semi-spherical shell, preparing for the astronaut’s landing.

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

To protect astronauts from the harsh environment on the moon, the lunar base uses a series of measures, such as shields, shielding, atmosphere filtration systems and cold protection. At the same time, it will provide shelter for astronauts, including building astronaut living modules, setting up defense systems and formulating relevant laws and regulations.

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

Water : We have three solutions to secure water or convert water resources.First, a water cycle machine, use filter screen to strain out the impurity and use ultraviolet radiation to eliminate harmful bacteria from water.This way can transform resources that have already been used.Second,we use hydrogen peroxide to produce water and oxygen.And there’s a research vehicles excavate and transport water ice. Then store, purify and use.The water we drink is filtered and stored in a small reservoir.

Food :The food is made from vegetables in the warehouse and meat is synthetic meat(although it’s from vegetables),of course,vegetables are also limited, not all the vegetables can use in space, may only strong plants like potatoes are needed to mature successfully and be eaten.We store food in bags and consume only one bag at a time.

Air :I mentioned in the water production that hydrogen peroxide produces oxygen,But the air not only contain oxygen, it also needs to absorb carbon dioxide and water vapor, as well as some of the body’s metabolites and gases emitted by equipment, which need to be purified.However,this doesn’t tell us how to control oxygen levels,so we have an air component monitor.

Electricity:Solar panels are the primary generators of electricity, which is stored in batteries. If something goes wrong, we have backup nuclear power to fix it, but of course it won’t be used to generate electricity.There is also a way to generate a small amount of electricity, which is also stored in batteries when the equipment is used for exercise.

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

Most of the waste will be reused. The water will be purified and reused in the water recycling system. We don’t use disposable items like plastic. Even if there is a food storage bag, it is a degradable material and it will be degraded in a special degradation chamber.If an instrument or facility breaks down.we don’t think it’s a problem.Things that are hard to break down end up in landfills.

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

Communication is carried by a repeater, which is a satellite on the moon, and if it goes to another base station, it uses high-frequency electromagnetic waves to go to the repeater and then to another base station. If it went to Earth, it would go to two Repeaters, first to the moon’s satellite, then to the Earth’s satellite, and finally to the Earth’s surface.Next to our base station is a radio telescope to receive and transmit electromagnetic waves, this is mainly used to receive external messages. There’s another one on a research vehicle, which is used to communicate and communicate with personnel inside the base.

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.).

I think the priority of scientific research on the moon should be in the geological aspect, for two reasons: 1) further understanding of the moon’s geology can provide more usable resources for establishing a lunar base, and 2) minerals of economic value to humans can drive more investment in lunar exploration.

First, high-resolution geological photos of the moon’s surface should be taken by lunar satellites, and the terrain features analyzed. According to the experimental plan, the lunar rover will be used for field exploration and collecting geological rock and mineral samples, which will be analyzed chemically in the laboratory.

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

First, in order to cope with the pressure of riding a rocket, astronauts need to undergo centrifugal force training on Earth; Second, it is necessary to have theoretical knowledge, including basic theoretical training, such as learning astronomy, geography, atmospheric physics, flight mechanics, radio navigation, rocket and spacecraft construction, etc. Third, simulator training, which is the most important training equipment for astronauts, astronauts often use the above instruments and equipment to simulate various instructions, familiar with various instruments and displays, master the operation of different flight stages, especially learn how to judge and correctly deal with abnormal situations. Experiments that need to be done in a long-term residency can also be performed in a simulator first. Fourth, impact training, impact training is used to simulate the landing impact when the spacecraft returns to the ground, training astronauts’ impact endurance. Fifth, hearing test training, during the launch and return of the spacecraft, the noise transmitted to the capsule will be high. During the orbital flight phase, the noise generated by the equipment in the cabin is also difficult to avoid.

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.

Traveling between Earth and the moon is mainly done through rockets, with a large rocket storage area to store moon rover parts and modules.

The surface of the moon is explored using the lunar lander “”, which includes a mothership vehicle and a more maneuverable micro vehicle. The mothership vehicle is a mobile base camp that includes: a sleeping cabin, an experimental cabin that can accommodate 6 people, suitable for long-term lunar observation. The micro vehicle can carry 2 people and supports close-range remote control driving, and is equipped with a mechanical arm, mainly used for short-distance scientific sample collection work.