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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.

Future-Moon

郑州轻工业大学  郑州-金水区    China 18, 19   5 / 1 English
3D design software: Fusion 360



1.1 – Project Description

Our lunar campsite is located at the south pole of the moon, fully utilizing imagination and incorporating some new technologies that are not yet widely available on Earth. Combine current popular technologies with traditional Chinese construction techniques. Build an experiment that can meet the long-term life of two to three astronauts on the moon, and study foam metal, soilless cultivation and other experiments that are easier to carry out in the special microgravity environment of the moon. At the same time, our construction style combines various unique architectural styles both domestically and internationally, taking into account the specific environmental conditions of the moon. Our base adopts an intelligent control method as a whole, with each main building connected by road. The main living area adopts the shape of a six pointed star, which not only has symmetrical beauty but also reflects the continuity of the base.

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 main purpose of our lunar camp is scientific research. We carry out microgravity environmental material science experiments in the mineral research laboratory, and use microgravity to eliminate buoyancy convection to explore and develop foam metal materials, which makes it possible to effectively discharge bubbles and droplets of impurities, and develops high-performance metal materials. In addition, our soilless cultivation laboratory will develop extraterrestrial photosynthesis technology, which simulates the natural photosynthesis of green plants on the Earth, using sunlight to convert carbon dioxide exhaled by humans and water resources mined in situ on the moon into oxygen and hydrocarbons, providing oxygen for plants in the soilless cultivation laboratory.

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

We decided to set up our lunar camp in the Aitken basin at the south pole of the moon.First, the basin is composed of an extremely large meteorite crater, which retains the original impact structure. Because the material ejected from the deep part of the moon by impact is unique, it provides favorable conditions for us to study the internal structure of the moon.Second, the basin is rich in water resources. There are permanent shadow areas at the south pole of the moon. The temperature in these permanent shadow areas is extremely low, so there may be rich water ice resources inside.Third, it can provide a lot of energy. Every “lunar year” will have about half a year of polar day, during which there is a lot of light energy. The characteristics of continuous light in polar day provide natural energy “supply” for scientific research.

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 will bring basic building materials, 3D printers, lunar soil collection machinery, lunar soil burning tools and other basic tools from Earth, as well as design complete construction drawings on Earth to help us build our lunar base. We will learn from traditional Chinese architecture and mortise and tenon connection methods, use lunar soil collection machinery to collect lunar soil, use lunar soil sintering to produce lunar bricks, and use 3D printers to make mortise and tenon structures, Help us achieve inlay and fit between bricks. After building the bricks, we will take advantage of the microgravity environment of the moon, and our astronauts can put the bricks in the corresponding place according to the construction drawings without the need for large equipment such as cranes and elevators, so as to build the house. Due to our use of locally sourced lunar soil, it can effectively reduce radiation from outer space and greatly reduce transportation costs. After completing the firing of lunar bricks, assembly and construction can be carried out. By sintering lunar bricks, the risk of 3D printing forming in one go can be dispersed, and in some areas, 3D printing can strengthen connections to complete the structure.

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

We will build high-precision radars and meteorite warning systems, which will allow us enough time to avoid the risks and hazards brought by extraterrestrial meteorites; In addition, our base will use lunar bricks fired from lunar soil, which can effectively isolate harmful cosmic rays from outer space and create a comfortable and safe living and research environment for our astronauts. We will build a central air conditioning system at the base to maintain a constant temperature indoor environment. As solar energy is the main source of energy, our base has a BMS battery management system based on artificial intelligence control, which can effectively distribute energy reasonably without worrying about the air conditioning being disconnected. At the same time, our walls will be coated with polymer nano coatings to isolate the extreme temperatures outside and reduce the energy consumption of central air conditioning. Our oxygen mainly comes from lunar soil, which can be obtained through molten electrolysis to produce a large amount of oxygen. It is transported to various rooms through underground pipelines to provide oxygen for each room and ensure the normal physiological activities of astronauts.

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

We will build a lunar rover to focus solar energy and other radiation into the moon’s water ice, which will allow these water ice substances to evaporate. Place a freeze dryer on each side to condense the water vapor into water and collect it.

Our food supply mainly comes from soilless cultivation laboratories. We will use customized nutrient solutions and artificial intelligence technology to provide suitable nutrients for plants and provide necessary nutrients for our astronauts.

Our energy mainly comes from solar power generation technology. We will use solar panels to collect and convert it into electrical energy, and achieve a reasonable distribution of electrical energy through non-contact power transmission.

We will collect lunar soil, which can generate a large amount of oxygen using molten electrolysis to provide oxygen for various plates. It can also achieve the preparation of highly pure silicon, iron, and other metal materials, providing certain raw materials for our mineral laboratory.

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

Our toilet will directly remove urine; Astronauts’ sweat and exhaled water vapor will enter the ventilation system. These liquid waste are recycled through complex treatment processes such as distillation and deep purification, and can be consumed.

Mainly collecting, compressing, storing, and then re-entering the atmosphere with the TianZhou cargo spacecraft for burning.

Our cabin adopts high-temperature aerobic fermentation treatment, and the processed product can be used as organic fertilizer. The carbon dioxide generated during the fermentation process can also be introduced into the plant cabin.

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

We will adopt wireless wave communication, utilizing the wave propagation function of wireless waves to transmit information, which can save us the trouble of laying wires and achieve more free, faster, and accessible information exchange and communication.

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 focus of our lunar camp research is foam metal in microgravity environment and artificial light synthesis technology in extraterrestrial environment. In the mineral research laboratory, we will carry out microgravity environmental material science experiments. In the microgravity environment, due to the disappearance of convection caused by buoyancy, the disturbance of crystal growth will be reduced, and the defects in the grown crystal will inevitably be reduced. Using microgravity to eliminate buoyancy convection to explore and develop foam metal materials, which provides the possibility of effectively discharging bubbles and liquid drop impurities. At the same time, in the space microgravity environment, we can also find some material properties and phenomena covered by gravity sites, which can provide effective and feasible ideas for us to develop high-performance metal materials. In addition, our soilless cultivation laboratory will develop extraterrestrial photosynthesis technology, which simulates the natural photosynthesis of green plants on Earth and utilizes sunlight to convert the carbon dioxide exhaled by humans and the water resources extracted from the lunar soil into oxygen and hydrocarbons, providing oxygen for the plants in the soilless cultivation laboratory.

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

First, astronauts need to pass rigorous physical and health tests to make sure their bodies are up to the demands of space exploration. These tests usually include lung function tests, heart rate tests, reflexes, and so on. Through these tests, it can be determined whether each astronaut has the ability to adapt to the space environment.

After completing a medical examination, astronauts are required to learn computer and software systems. These systems include skills such as task data processing, process monitoring, troubleshooting, and more. At the same time, they also need to understand the basic knowledge of the space environment, such as microgravity, vacuum, radiation and so on, which will help them better adapt to the space environment.

In addition, underwater training is also an essential part of astronauts. Through this training, astronauts can adapt to low and microgravity environments and improve their motor ability, coordination, and cardiorespiratory function. The underwater training can also simulate emergencies and emergency evacuation drills, allowing astronauts to better face dangerous situations.

After completing the underwater training, astronauts learn the basic operation and use of laboratory equipment and instruments, as well as how to adapt to the environment in case of emergency. The astronaut’s learning process also includes training in skills such as how to use and repair the spacesuit and what to do if something goes wrong.

In addition, astronauts will need to learn how to work closely with colleagues, establish effective communication channels, clearly define roles, and learn how to receive and use medical care remotely, among other necessary measures, in order to ensure a successful mission.

Finally, astronauts need to learn emergency escape and retrograde maneuvering skills in Earth and space environments.

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 spacecraft should be able to reach the lunar surface, operate on the lunar surface for space exploration and experimental operations, have sufficient manned and storage space, and be able to adapt to the lunar surface environment.

At a lunar camp, there will likely be various types of vehicles, such as lunar buggies, scooters and wheeled vehicles, built to explore the lunar surface, so they must be designed to be strong enough and adaptable to the lunar surface environment.

To get astronauts to and from Earth, a space capsule needs to be able to operate in the environment of space, it needs to be able to withstand the wear and tear of space and the harsh climate, and it needs to be able to provide enough range for the astronauts to reach Earth safely.

While exploring the surface of the moon, we also need to find new targets and areas to explore. This could involve deep exploration of lunar surface structures, the possibility of searching for water resources, and the exploration of lunar footprints and journeys.

 

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