discovery interactive image

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.

Tigers

Jazykové gymnázium Pavla Tigrida Ostrava-Poruba Czech Republic 16, 15 4 / 2 English
3D design software: Blender

External Viewer for 3D Project

1.1 – Project Description

The Moon Camp is going to be for four astronauts and have two parts, above and underground. There are going to be seven rooms at the start and a garage. The underground part is going to be one complex divided into several parts, each with the option of individual closing and isolation. The above-ground part is going to consist of modules which are going to be brought from the Earth and on the Moon are going to be connected similarly to ISS. For a source of energy the camp is going to have a couple of radioisotope thermoelectric generators and as a secondary source solar panels. We are going to research biology, geology and astrophysics. The camp is going to recycle everything that can be recycled.

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 Camp is going to be used for scientific purposes, so there are going to be several laboratories. The Moon Camp is going to be a testing place; it is going to test technologies and methods usable for future missions on the Mars.

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

We are going to build the Moon Camp on the near side of the south pole. The near side because of the radio connection needed to contact Earth, the south pole because of the presence of water in solid state. The cam is going to be partly on the surface and partly under the surface in a lava tunnel.

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.

To build the Moon Camp we are going to use 3D printers which are going to print the camp from regolith. The 3D printers are going to print the underground part of the camp, the above-ground part is going to be from modules which are going to be brought from Earth. Both parts are going to be connected by tunnels. So, from Earth we are going to bring the modules, 3D printers, robots, solar panels. The solar panels are going to set up themselves and the robots are going to start working with regolith for the 3D printers. Once the base is finished, humans are going to bring and install devices.

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

The Moon Camp is going to have two independent life support systems. These systems are going to provide oxygen from the moon water and recycle the CO2 to O2, they are also going to maintain the air humidity, temperature and circulation. There are going to be the Whipple shields to protect the camp from asteroids. There is also going to be a lead shield to protect the above-ground camp from radiation. The lead is going to be mined by robots and the shield printed by the 3D printers; the underground is going to be protected by the moon rock.

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

Before the first mission everything is going to be automatic. Oxygen is going to be made from water obtained in the ice form at the south pole. Life support systems are going to recycle CO2 to oxygen and superfluous air humidity, urine to water, like on ISS. At the start of the first mission food needs to be brought from Earth but later it is going to be made at the camp. Meat is going to be made artificially. There are going to be genetically modified plants, so they grow faster, have more of certain nutrients and are resistant to microgravity. Some sources need to be brought from Earth, for example vitamin D3 is going to be dosed in the form of tablets. The source of energy is going to be couple of radioisotope thermoelectric generators, which are going to be placed in a distance from the camp and wrapped up in safety shell because of the option of repair. As a secondary source of energy, there are going to be solar panels, which in danger are going to automatically hide.

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

Urine is going to be recycled to drinkable water, faeces are going to be used for manuring plants. Waste which cannot be recycled is going to be stored in containers and sent to the station orbiting moon, and when a ship comes with new astronauts it is going to take the containers and drop the waste in special bags into the Earth’s atmosphere where it will burn.

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

The Moon Camp is going to maintain radio connection with the station orbiting the Moon and with Earth. To do this the camp is going to use radio transmitters and receivers.

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.).

In the Moon Camp there are going to be fully equipped laboratories with geological and biological focus. From geology we are going to research rocks and geomorphology, the goal is to localise the deposits and lodes of utilizable materials. We are going to research seismology and the long-term impact of the local environment on the rocks. From biology we are going to research long-term impacts (impacts of what?) primarily on humans, plants, tardigrades and secondary mildews, bacteria, viruses, protozoans and resistant insects. There is also going to be a telescope for astrophysical research.

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

Training is going to be the same as the training of the ISS astronauts supplemented with knowledge about the Moon and recently used technologies. Astronauts are also going to be trained to manipulate things on the Moon and take samples of the Moon.

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.

For transportation on the Moon, we will use vehicles developed by NASA, called LTV’s (Lunar Terrain Vehicle). They are going to provide relatively comfortable long-distance travels. These vehicles are going to have AI for bigger autonomy and solar panels are going to provide charging without the camp. For transportation from the Earth we will use space ships from the mission Artemis, which are going to take the astronauts to the station orbiting the moon. From the station the astronauts are going to be transported to the camp by a landing module. The way back to the Earth is going to be ensured by the same vehicles, only in reverse order.