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.
郑州轻工业附属中学 河南省郑州市-金水区 China 19 5 / 2 English
3D design software: Fusion 360
The scientific Lunar Base project focuses on using lunar lava tubes as habitation structures for future lunar missions. The project involves building a modular base on the moon that can be assembled and disassembled as required by the mission. The Lunar Base project focuses on using lunar lava tubes as habitation structures for future lunar missions.
The main goal of the project is to explore the feasibility of using the moon’s natural environment to create a safe and habitable environment. The moon’s lava tubes are ideal habitats because they offer natural protection against radiation, micrometeors, and extreme temperature fluctuations. We will use advanced robotics and 3D printing technology to build a modular base that will be powered by thermoelectric power and have an emergency backup power system. The base will also serve as a platform for testing new technologies that will eventually be used in human expeditions to Mars and beyond. Overall, the project aims to build a sustainable and technologically advanced lunar base to facilitate long-term research and exploration of the moon, while mitigating the risks associated with long-term space missions.
The main purpose of establishing a research-based lunar base in the lava tubes of the Moon is to conduct various scientific experiments and observations. The conditions within the lava tubes offer unique opportunities for studying lunar geology, gaining insights into the early history of the Moon, and exploring the potential for the extraction of water and other important resources. The controlled environment of the lava tubes could also be utilized for the cultivation of plants and for the testing and development of new technologies and scientific instrumentation. By establishing a research-based lunar base, scientists could expand our understanding of the Moon, enhance our knowledge of the solar system, and lay the groundwork for further exploration and potential settlement of other planets or moons in the future.
Firstly, being underground shields the base from the harsh lunar environment, including solar radiation and extreme temperature fluctuations. This would decrease the need for heavy shielding equipment, making the construction process easier and cheaper.
Secondly, the lava tubes provide an easily accessible source of resources such as water, which can be extracted from the icy regolith. As water is essential for human habitation and the production of rocket fuel, having a nearby source would significantly decrease the cost of resupply missions.
Additionally, the natural protection provided by the lava tubes could be utilized for the cultivation of plants in a controlled environment, providing a sustainable source of fresh food.
Lastly, the location of the Philolaus Crater is strategically advantageous, being located near the north pole of the Moon. This location provides access to nearly constant sunlight, which can be utilized for solar power, potentially making the base energy self-sufficient.
The whole ULS base adopts the bionic ant nest structure, which is built according to the trend of lunar lava pipe, so that the building structure has the highest density, the required materials are the simplest, the use space is the largest, and the structure is stable and firm. Conducive to the construction of the base and later expansion.
Phase I: Send cave-exploring robots to complete the overall design of the base according to the terrain exploration data, deliver necessary supplies and giant 3D printing robots, insert thermoelectric power column on the lunar surface by inertia when landing, and use fuel cells and thermoelectric power generation for early construction; The laser balloon technology is used to reasonably transform the lava pipe, and then the overall structure of the base is printed with the help of lunar soil. The surface buildings are covered with reverse dialysis membranes printed by 3D printing robots and self-fit according to a programmable plastic material and origami structure to absorb solar wind for early construction.
Phase 2: Transport various equipment to the moon, complete the construction of the B1 basic Life zone, so that a small number of astronauts can enter and assist in the future base experiments and B2 (lunar research area) and the bottom layer of B3 (living and entertainment area).
Phase three: Four or five astronauts will board the lunar base, and once the base is stabilized, the living quarters can continue down and expand further to accommodate more astronauts and researchers.
ULS’s unique architectural location solved most of the problems for astronauts to survive on the moon. The unique entrance to ULS is a double-decker structure that uses the Whipple Shield design concept to effectively withstand meteorite impacts. The underground structures are designed to withstand the moon’s harsh environment, including solar radiation, extreme temperature fluctuations and micrometeorite impacts. (According to NASA research, it is possible to maintain a constant temperature of 17 to 19 degrees Celsius below 6 meters on the moon’s surface.)
In case of emergency, the base will have a central hub as a safe area. The hub will be equipped with airlocks and emergency supplies such as extra oxygen, water and food. In addition, the lunar base will be equipped with backup power systems and communications equipment to ensure astronauts can communicate with Earth in case of an emergency.
In addition, there will be medical facilities at the base to provide medical care for the astronauts. The facility will be equipped with advanced medical equipment and trained medical personnel to deal with any injury or illness.
In short, the lunar science base will be designed to provide adequate protection and shelter for astronauts. Modular construction and radiation shielding will help protect astronauts from the harsh lunar environment, while advanced life support systems and emergency supplies will ensure their survival in the event of an emergency.
In order to provide astronauts with sustainable basic needs, Lunar Camp implements a number of key functions to meet their survival needs:
Water: In order to ensure the normal supply of water resources, we use two lines of water supply. On the one hand, we get water through lava tubes and ice in permanently shaded areas near the North Pole; Reverse dialysis membranes on the surface of above-ground buildings, on the other hand, can produce water and oxygen by capturing hydrogen ions in the solar wind, while a water recycling system is used to collect astronauts’ urine and sweat for recycling.
Food: In the lead-up to the moon, astronauts will eat space food (mostly protein) they bring from Earth; After the water culture lab is completed, astronauts will grow a variety of edible plants. We’re also going to 3D print food to make vegetarian meat from soy fiber;
Air/Oxygen: We produce oxygen in three main ways. After heating and melting lunar soil or rock, we carry out electric electrolysis. Oxygen is released in the form of bubbles from the melt. When heated to 1600-2500℃, oxygen-containing rock can decompose and produce pure oxygen. The plants in the hydroponic chamber also absorb the carbon dioxide released by the astronauts in order to get a constant supply of oxygen; In addition, more oxygen can be obtained through hydrolysis.
Power demand: We adopt a temperature difference power generation system. Through the temperature difference generation column, we adopt a self-circulating thermosiphon with high heat transfer to heat lunar soil. Gravity is used as the driving force to make liquid reflux. But in the early stages, fuel cells also serve as backup energy sources, providing heat and electricity to the base.
Here are five ways we’ll deal with the different types of trash our astronauts produce on the moon:
Recycling: Some waste can be recycled, water, which is necessary for survival. Water can be recycled by recycling astronauts’ sweat, urine and breathing water vapor.
Compression and storage: Waste can be compressed and stored to take up less space. Solid waste can be compressed into smaller pieces by a compressor and stored in a bin or similar container.
Burning: Some organic waste can be disposed of by burning. This converts waste into ash and carbon dioxide, requiring the right oxygen and temperature conditions to achieve this.
Reuse: Waste can be reused, kitchen waste can be composted and reused as soil for growing vegetables on the site.
Combined, these treatments could help keep a lunar base clean and sustainable, while ensuring that the resources necessary for survival are fully utilized.
The lunar base will require efficient and reliable communication systems to maintain contact with Earth and other lunar bases. The primary method of communication will be through high-frequency radio transmissions. The lunar base will also have an array of orbiting communication satellites that will act as relays between the base and Earth.
Additionally, the lunar base will have antennas and communication dishes for direct and uninterrupted communication with Earth, as well as redundant communication systems to ensure that communications remain uninterrupted, even in case of system failures.
The lunar base will also have an integrated network communication system that will enable communication between various sections of the base, as well as with other lunar bases. This system will include fiber-optic cables and Wi-Fi networks for data transfer, allowing efficient communication and sharing of information between different lunar bases.
In a research-based lunar base located within a lunar lava tube, there are several scientific themes that would be the focus of research. Some of the primary areas of research would be lunar geology, the utilization of lunar resources, and astronomical observations from the moon.
The lunar base will conduct experiments on lunar geology, including studying the mineral composition of the moon’s surface, analyzing the behavior of moonquakes, and examining the distribution and movement of volatiles such as water on the moon. These studies will provide valuable insights into the formation and evolution of the moon, and help to advance our understanding of the universe.
Another area of focus is the utilization of lunar resources, such as the extraction of water from lunar soil, and the use of lunar regolith as a building material. These resources would be necessary for sustainable human settlement on the moon, and the lunar base will explore ways to utilize them effectively.
Additionally, the lunar base will engage in astronomical observations from the moon, taking advantage of its unique location to observe celestial bodies that are not visible from Earth. The lunar base will also be an ideal location for monitoring the Earth’s environment and natural hazards, such as the monitoring of space weather events and the detection of meteoroid impacts.
Overall, the lunar base will focus on scientific research that will advance our understanding of the moon, the universe, and the potential for sustainable human settlement on the moon. Through research on lunar geology, the utilization of lunar resources, and astronomical observations from the moon, the lunar base will contribute to the advancement of various scientific fields and provide critical knowledge for future space exploration.
To prepare astronauts for the moon, a robust training program might include the following:
Physical and Physiological training: Astronauts need to undergo gravity training, endurance training, cardiovascular fitness training and muscle strengthening training for long periods of space travel and missions on the lunar surface.
Space adaptability training: training related to space environment, including operating skills in weightless environment, space orientation and space positioning skills, space psychology and ability to cope with space environment, etc.
Spacecraft and equipment operation training: operation and maintenance of space capsules, ice harvesters, lunar rovers and other equipment.
Geology and lunar science training: learn the geological structure, topography and geomorphology of the moon for scientific research and sample collection.
Emergency training: basic medical knowledge and emergency response training to deal with possible accidents.
Mission Simulation training: Astronauts need to be trained to simulate missions in real environments, including missions on the lunar surface, operations in the capsule, emergency response, etc.
Communication training: Learn the language, protocols and procedures of communication, know how to communicate effectively with mission control, and work closely with other relevant personnel
Psychological training: psychological training of astronauts in order to adapt to the astronaut this occupation of high risk and the particularity of the space environment, it is necessary to carry out strict psychological training of astronauts, so that they have excellent psychological quality in rational thinking ability, dare to sex, psychological compatibility and not chaos in the face of crisis, the ability to deal with sudden crisis.
In short, astronauts need to receive comprehensive training to ensure that they are competent for the mission of landing on the moon.
Spacecraft capable of transporting people and equipment between Earth and the moon, as well as manned rockets, are needed for future missions to the moon. And to transport cargo we prefer to use large launch vehicles like SLS or Saturn V.
In addition to these spacecraft, a lunar base would need a variety of vehicles to travel on the lunar surface. We designed the lunar RV, the unique chassis design can better adapt to the lunar surface, and the spacious cargo box also provides the possibility for long distance and long time out. Modular design also enables it to complete the loading of specific instruments to complete a variety of special tasks.
The lunar ice harvester is designed by us for collecting and transporting cargo. The application of intelligent detachable cargo box and artificial intelligence enables the ice harvester to complete the ice mining task independently.
