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.
Highly Commended Design – ESA Member states
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3D design software: Fusion 360 & Blender
ATLAS is our vision of how a lunar base could look like in the near future. What makes ATLAS special, is the fact that it is primarily located underground in one of the moon’s empty lunar lava tubes, which provide protection from the harsh lunar environment. The only visible parts of the base are the surface and hangar entrances, which are connected to the underground areas via elevator. Encapsulated in its own artificial atmosphere, the underground ATLAS base is divided into five areas:
We want to build a Moon Camp because we want to contribute to a future in which space exploration and interplanetary travel will be possible.
Our Moon Camp’s purpose will be mainly scientific and touristic. It will be possible for a maximum of two tourists to live on the lunar base and experience the daily life of an astronaut, which will help partially finance the project. Additionally, they can livestream their experiences and increase the awareness of our project. Furthermore, the presence of other people can also provide psychological benefits for the astronauts. The astronauts will perform experiments in which the long-term effects of the moon’s low gravity and the astronauts’ prolonged isolation will be researched. Specifically, they will focus on basic psychological needs, safety needs, social needs and individual needs.
When constructing a lunar base one must account for many life-threatening circumstances on the moon which include the following:
Considering these factors, the optimal location is underground in one of the moon’s lava tubes. Lava tubes are natural underground tunnels formed by ancient lava flows that solidify on the surface but continue to flow underneath, leaving behind a network of empty tunnels. These tunnels provide a stable and protected environment from the harsh lunar conditions while optimally providing a compromise between average temperature, water resources, and the concentration of helium-3 in the surrounding regolith. In order to secure communication with Earth, only a lava tube located on the daylight side of the moon is suitable.
In order to save energy, an artificial atmosphere inside the lava tube will be established. By doing this, it is possible to live within the atmosphere without suits. Inside the artificial atmosphere our base is made up of walls inflated with oxygen, making them thermally insulating.
Since the lava tube floor is uneven and angled, a base floor, which forms a level area for the facilities, should be built. Supports anchored in the ground with steel grids would be suitable, as they are easy to transport and practical. This could be achieved by using chemical dowels.
During the construction phase, a team will be stationed on the moon, requiring a temporary base to be built. This base should be simple and quick to set up. Carbon fiber reinforced structures would be optimal, since transport weight limits should be considered. The temporary base needs enough space to accommodate the team, vital resources, materials and tools for building the actual base. In addition, we need a flat surface where all probes and capsules with resources from the Earth can land. This area must provide enough space for landing and for rovers or other means of transportation that will bring the materials and people to the base or directly to the construction site.
Building a lunar base in one of the Moon’s lava tubes provides several advantages for protection and providing shelter to our crew.
Firstly, it would protect our crew from the dangers of radiation exposure. The Moon has no protective magnetic field to shield from harmful solar and cosmic radiation, which can be a significant health risk for astronauts. The thick layer of rock above the lava tube would act as a natural radiation shield, reducing the exposure to harmful radiation.
Secondly, the stable temperature inside the lava tube provides a more comfortable living environment for our crew. The Moon’s surface experiences extreme temperature fluctuations, with daytime temperatures reaching up to 120°C and dropping to -170°C at night. The stable temperature inside the lava tube would provide a more habitable environment for our crew, eliminating the need for complex heating and cooling systems.
The lava tube also provides natural protection from micrometeoroid impacts, which can pose a significant risk to equipment and personnel on the lunar surface. The thick layer of rock above the lava tube would absorb any impacts, reducing the risk of damage or injury.
In addition, the lava tube provides a ready-made structure for our base, reducing the construction time and cost. The tunnels can be modified and outfitted to suit our needs, with minimal excavation required.
Building our lunar base in a lava tube provides a natural shield against radiation, stable temperatures, protection from micrometeoroid impacts, and a pre-existing structure, making it an ideal location for our crew’s shelter and protection on the Moon. Since temperature fluctuations are only a minor issue due to the lava tube and maintaining a stable communication with Earth is important, the base is in a central location on the daylight side of the moon.
To ensure water supply on our base, we will make use of lunar regolith, a sand-like, pulverized rock that covers the lunar surface. This dust is not only a source of hydrogen, but also rich in O2 with an oxygen content of 50% of its total mass. The regolith will be heated to over 1000 degrees celsius using a solar tower power plant, which causes it to convert into gas. That way, oxygen and hydrogen can be extracted with a process called ‘’molten salt electrolysis”. With the help of fuel cells, the substances can later be turned into running water.
To provide food on the lunar base, hydroponic systems are installed, in which the plants independently obtain their required water and nutrients through expanded clay balls and therefore do not require soil. The plants include beans, corn, and potatoes, which ensure the supply of carbohydrates, as well as peas, tomatoes, lettuce, grains, and radishes, which are a good source of vitamins.
Using the Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), a system of regenerative life support hardware, the crew of the lunar base is provided with clean air. The oxygen generation system mainly consists of the Oxygen Generation Assembly and a power supply module. Removal of carbon dioxide from the air is accomplished through an absorption process using sorbent lithium hydroxide (LiOH).
To be completely independent in terms of electrical power our team has planned to use MMRs (micro modular reactors). These compact reactors can be easily transported to the moon and don’t need any further assembly, meaning they can start producing energy immediately.
To deal with waste produced by astronauts, our lunar base will implement various methods. Composting will be used for food waste, which involves the decomposition of organic matter into nutrient-rich soil. Urine and feces will be processed using filtration systems, which can separate solids from liquids and remove impurities. The liquids will be treated to produce clean water, while the solids will be treated separately to produce fertilizer or be stored on the moon.
Non-organic waste, such as packaging materials, will be collected and stored in a designated area on the moon. Waste management will be a critical aspect of maintaining a sustainable lunar base, and all waste materials will be carefully tracked and monitored to ensure safe and efficient disposal. By implementing these methods, our lunar base can significantly reduce the amount of waste generated by astronauts and minimize the environmental impact on the moon.
In order to secure communication between the lunar base and Earth, antennas are needed in Australia, Spain and the USA, through which a connection to the Deep Space Network is, despite the Earth’s rotation, always ensured. DSN is a global network of deep space stations that is used for communication with predominantly interplanetary space probes and satellites as well as radio and radar astronomical research purposes.
DSN is part of a larger network and leverages the capabilities of the ground-based communications network provided by NASA’s Integrated Services Network. The NISN enables the exchange of data at high speed with two other networks, the Space Network, which uses geostationary relay satellites as receivers that transmit their data to ground stations, and the Near Earth Network, which uses many small and medium-sized antennas to communicate with missions during the launch phase in low-Earth orbits and with low-Earth satellites.
The Moon’s microgravity can simulate osteoporosis and allow for better research through ultrasound examinations, urine and blood tests. Also, the effects of low gravity on the brain could be examined further, as a study has shown that the distribution of brain water changes permanently after space travel. Factors that influence these changes and how they can be reduced could also be explored.
The moon’s lack of atmosphere makes it an ideal place for astronomical observations. Telescopes on the moon can capture images of stars and galaxies with unparalleled clarity, free from any distortion caused by Earth’s atmosphere. One possible experiment is to set up a telescope on the lunar surface to study various astronomical phenomena, such as searching for exoplanets or studying star formation. This would only be possible if the telescopes are positioned the dark side of the moon and satellite networks are in place.
Another experiment would be to observe cosmic radiation. The moon’s surface is an optimal place to measure cosmic radiation because it arrives there unchanged unlike on Earth, where cosmic radiation is absorbed by the atmosphere and converted into particles that can interfere with measurements.
Furthermore, the Moon is a unique location for geological experiments because it lacks erosion or tectonic activity like Earth. A possible experiment on the Moon would be to conduct surface investigations by collecting and analyzing samples. These rock samples can also help reconstruct the Moon’s geological history by providing clues to past geological processes on the lunar surface.
Lastly, we can perform experiments on new robotics technologies, by developing robots that can assist with base construction, maintenance, and scientific research on the moon’s surface. The low gravity, extreme temperature, and rugged terrain of the lunar environment present unique challenges that must be addressed when designing these robotic systems.
Education: Our astronauts need a master’s degree in physics, biology or chemistry. In addition, they should also have a degree in aerospace engineering, usually astronauts complete this study with a doctorate. Furthermore, it is important that our crew members have experience in mining and construction in order to build and run the base. Since we will be working with cutting edge technology it is mandatory that our astronauts bring enough knowledge in the fields of nuclear physics, chemistry and material physics to keep those systems running.
Training: The requirements at ESA are similar to those at NASA – The three-year training is divided into basic training, advanced training and mission-specific training. The basic knowledge imparted extends across all areas of natural, engineering and computer sciences, so that the astronaut students, who come from different professional fields, have the same scientific knowledge. Additionally, in consultation with the ISS partners, specific space and ISS knowledge, human skills and language training will be added.
This is followed by astronaut survival training, in which the astronauts have to survive in an unknown location for three days with little food and only one guide who speaks the language.
There is also isolation training, where the astronauts’ maintenance skills are trained. During the training, breakdowns, malfunctions and fault signals are simulated, which must then be fixed by the trainees.
To reduce the possibility of conflicts among our crew members, it is also very important that our astronauts conduct extensive social training, where their abilities to work together in a small environment are trained.
Starship SN15
SpaceX’s Starship SN15 will play a crucial role in our transportation system between the Lunar base and Earth due to its reusable nature, which reduces launch costs and maintenance between flights. The Starship can also be refueled using resources from the Moon’s surface, such as water ice, which can be processed into rocket propellant.
Lunar Rover
Our Lunar Rover is an advanced exploration vehicle designed for scientific research on the Moon’s surface. With six independent airless tires, it can navigate rugged terrain, while its airlock reduces oxygen loss during entry and exit, which allows for prolonged trips in the harsh lunar environment.
ATV
Our All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) is a rugged and versatile single-seater vehicle designed for transportation on the lunar surface. Each of the six ATVs has four independent airless tires and a small equipment rack mounted on its rear to carry scientific instruments and equipment.
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