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.
INS VILADECAVALLS Terrassa-BARCELONA Spain 17 3 / 0 English
3D design software: Fusion 360
https://sites.google.com/iesviladecavalls.cat/tellus-mooncamp-challenge-2223/
The camp begins with an initial entrance that leads to a hallway where you can detoxify from the harmful particles present on the moon. Next is the suit room, followed by another hallway that leads to the main room. The main room module has hermetic doors for security and is hexagonal on the outside, but slightly circular on the inside to improve oxygen concentration and pressure. We have chosen the hexagonal shape as it maximizes the use of space.
Each side of the hexagon leads to a different room with additional doors for oxygen security: the laboratory module, the greenhouse module, the communications module, the living quarters module (which includes the bedroom, bathroom, dining room and kitchen modules), and the construction workshop module which includes a vehicle decontamination area.
Outside, we have built an antenna for communications and installed solar panels. You will also find the lunar vehicles and the spaceship that we used to travel from Earth to the moon.
Our mission aims to establish a precursor base that can accommodate up to eight people for future lunar missions. At the same time, the base will facilitate research on the composition of lunar soil, including the potential presence of frozen water and minerals, and enable various scientific experiments in the unique low-gravity environment of the moon (which has a surface gravity of 1.62 m/s² compared to Earth’s surface gravity of 9.81 m/s²). These investigations will deepen our understanding of materials, technologies, and biological systems in the lunar environment, informing future exploration and settlement efforts. The scientific goals align with broader objectives of lunar exploration, including enhancing our understanding of the moon’s origins, geology, and potential to support human exploration and settlement.
The site we propose for the lunar camp is the Sea of Tranquility due to its large, flat terrain, which provides a suitable area for spacecraft landing and base construction. We have determined that this site offers the best combination of accessibility, scientific potential, and operational safety.
One of the key factors considered was the radiation levels, as radiation can vary significantly depending on location: the radiation levels in the Sea of Tranquility are considered to be relatively low compared to other areas on the Moon, making it a safe location for our mission.
However, the selection of the ideal location is also dependent on the mission objectives. For example, if the aim was to search for frozen water on the Moon, the Nobile or Clavius crater, located in the southern polar regions, could be more suitable.
The lunar base is comprised of five modules: a living quarters module where astronauts can rest during their free time, a suit room, and several tubes that connect the different modules. The modules will be constructed on Earth and transported to the moon using SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft. Once on the surface, a rover will transport the modules to the designated location for the base. Once constructed, the modules will be covered with lunar material to protect them from space debris and cold temperatures.
It’s important to note that the moon’s environment is quite different from Earth’s, with harsh temperatures that can range from -173°C (-280°F) to 127°C (261°F), depending on the location. Additionally, the moon has no atmosphere to protect against radiation, which poses a risk to the astronauts. Therefore, the materials used to construct the lunar base must be carefully chosen to ensure they can withstand the extreme conditions on the moon and protect the astronauts from harm.
To ensure the base is suitable for the harsh lunar environment, it will be constructed from lightweight materials such as aluminum for the walls, with thermal insulation placed between the walls to prevent heat loss. The greenhouse module’s doom and some doors will be made from methacrylate, a material that is lightweight and durable enough to withstand the harsh lunar environment.
Our lunar base is designed to provide comprehensive protection to the astronauts who occupy it in a highly hostile environment. On the Moon, there is no atmosphere or protection against cosmic and solar radiation, so the base will have to provide protection against these threats. For this, most of the base’s structure is built with lunar material, making it more resistant and less expensive to construct. Additionally, the base features an advanced system of hermetic doors that close automatically in case of air leakage or in case of an emergency.
To keep the astronauts protected from the low temperatures on the Moon, the base will be equipped with a series of thermal insulation materials in the walls and in the outer coating. These materials will help maintain the heat inside the base and prevent lunar cold from entering. The base will also have advanced heating and cooling systems to maintain a comfortable temperature for the astronauts.
Moreover, the base will be designed to maximize the use of solar energy, which is an abundant and free source of energy on the Moon. Solar panels will be installed on the exterior of the base, which will provide the necessary energy to keep the base functioning and to power the astronauts’ equipment. The base will also have water and air recycling systems to ensure the sustainability of life on the Moon.
In summary, our lunar base is a robust and resistant structure, designed to provide complete protection to the astronauts who occupy it in a challenging and hostile environment.
Water is one of the most essential things for survival, which is why water on the moon will be scarce. To obtain water, our base will filter the urine produced by the astronauts, and that water can be used for drinking and for crops. We can also obtain water from the frozen ice that can be found in some of the moon’s craters. However, before determining if it is safe to consume, a couple of experiments will be conducted to ensure that consumption is possible after filtration.
To be able to survive, astronauts need food, which will be provided by ESA for a couple of months, but after that, the astronauts have to obtain food in another way. For this, our lunar base will have a cultivation area (greenhouse module), where various vegetables and fruits such as potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, and corn will be grown.
Air is undoubtedly the most important resource. That is why our base, in addition to being able to filter water, will be able to filter the CO2 produced by the astronauts and convert it into O2 thanks to the microalgae, which at the same time can generate a small amount of oxygen.
To generate energy and make all electronic devices work at the base, we will use solar energy to generate electricity through solar panels located around the base. This energy will be stored in batteries in case some solar panels fail or during prolonged nights.
Our lunar camp recycles everything produced by astronauts in order to minimize the environmental impact on the Moon and ensure the sustainability of life in the base.
The plastic waste will be used to make filament for 3D printing and to manufacture tools and spare parts on the base.
Food and waste residuals will be used to make compost, which will be used to grow plants. This reduces the need to send large amounts of food and agricultural supplies from Earth.
The urine produced by astronauts will be filtered, transformed into drinking water and stored in tanks for personal consumption and cultivation. In addition, liquid waste is also processed to obtain clean and safe water.
In addition to these systems, the lunar base also has a facility for treating and storing hazardous waste, such as used batteries and other toxic materials.
As we prepare for our upcoming lunar camp mission, one of the biggest challenges we will face is maintaining communication with Earth and other lunar bases due to the great distance involved. To address this challenge, we have identified a possible solution for maintaining communication: setting up a transmission station (with an antenna) in the lunar camp to send and receive radio signals to and from Earth and other lunar bases.
It’s important to consider the time delay in communications due to the great distance, and plan accordingly to minimize its impact on the operation of the lunar base. We should also consider redundancy in our communication systems to ensure a continuous and reliable connection.
In our lunar camp, research would focus on various scientific topics, including lunar geology, low-gravity environment, biology, technology, and robotics. Some examples of experiments that we could conduct are:
Lunar geology: We would study the geological characteristics of the Moon, such as the structure of its interior, the composition of its soil, and the presence of valuable minerals. We could also analyze the rocks and soils that we bring back from the Moon to better understand its geological history.
Low-gravity environment: We would study how the Moon’s low-gravity environment affects living beings, including humans. For example, we could study how low gravity affects muscles and the cardiovascular system.
Biology: We would investigate whether there is life on the Moon or if there are conditions that would allow life to exist. We could also study how plants and animals adapt to the lunar environment.
Technology: We would develop new technologies to help us live and work on the Moon, such as air and water supply systems, communication systems, and vehicles for exploring the lunar surface.
Robotics: We would use robots to perform hazardous tasks such as crater exploration and sample collection. We could also use robots to conduct experiments in hard-to-reach areas for humans.
Astronomy: We would observe the cosmos from the Moon, where the absence of atmosphere and low artificial light would allow for more precise observations.
Our astronaut training program for a mission to the Moon would include the following:
Extensive physical and psychological training to adapt to the living and working conditions in space, including microgravity and exposure to cosmic radiation. Special attention should be given to mental health and stress management during the mission.
Training in the use of specific scientific and technical equipment, such as spacesuits, lunar vehicles, and tools for collecting samples. Maintenance and repair training should also be included, to be able to solve any possible technical problems during the mission.
Training in navigation and driving lunar vehicles, as well as lunar walking and exiting the spacecraft. Attention should be given to the particularities of the lunar surface, such as the presence of craters and rocks, and how to handle the vehicle in these conditions.
Space survival course to learn how to deal with emergency situations in space, such as loss of the spacecraft or failure of critical equipment. First aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation training should also be included.
Training in planetary sciences and geology to understand the lunar environment and plan the scientific scope of the mission. Attention should be given to the identification and collection of rock samples and their subsequent analysis in the laboratory.
Ground mission simulations to practice the tasks and procedures that will be carried out in the actual mission, including communication with the space station and teamwork with other crew members.
Training in communications and teamwork to ensure smooth communication and effective collaboration with the mission team and space station, as well as coordination of activities among the different crew members.
Our lunar mission will require 4 vehicles: 2 lunar rovers for soil investigations and search for water in other craters, and 2 transport vehicles, one for people and one for materials. Each rover will have a cargo capacity of 250 kilograms and a range of 150 kilometers on the moon, with a maximum speed of 18 km/h. The people transport vehicle will have a capacity for 4 astronauts, while the materials transport vehicle will have a cargo capacity of 1.5 tons and a lifting system to load and unload material efficiently. All vehicles will be transported to the moon on the SpaceX Starship rocket and will be left with a retractable crane. Each vehicle will be equipped with advanced communication, navigation, and safety technology to ensure the effectiveness and safety of the mission. We have specifically designed one of the rovers mentioned.
