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.
Newton Free School Tbilisi-Tbilisi Georgia 16, 15 3 / 3 English
3D design software: Fusion 360
Our moon camp base is called “Artemis”. It will have capacity for 3-9 astronauts. Our camp is divided into 4 sections:
First, our main part of the camp, which is living space. It consists of three parts: bedroom, cafeteria and fitness room.
Second, our laboratory, which we will use it as scientific research as well as obtaining resources such as water for living.
Thirdly, our so-called “greenspace”, which we will use for hydroponic farming.
Fourthly, our laboratory#2, which we will use for exploring space and inventing technologies to use on the moon.
The moon can enable scientists to explore space more fundamentally, since it will be a shorter distance from the moon. Along with this, camp will give us an opportunity for scientific research, which could lead to new discoveries.
This will be our camp’s main goal and purpose to explore space and permit different kinds of future space missions, as well as scientific research where our crew will research the moon’s environment.
Shackleton crater which is near the south pole of the moon. Craters rim gets almost continuous sunlight, while the crater is shadowed which means it’s a potential location for water ice and other resources.
We are planning to send robots from earth to moon and use resources found on it to build our camp. We decided that since taking materials from earth will be time consuming as well as not many materials can last long on the moon, we are going to use lunar regolith (65%) aka moon dirt and sulfur (35%). As for our corridors since we’re using no gravity resistible, transparent glass, we will heat up lunar regolith within a susceptor-assisted microwave oven.
Several factors such as lack of atmosphere, extreme temperature variations, high levels of radiation and risk of meteoroids endanger astronauts and here is how we will deal with it.
Lack of atmosphere – camp will be designed with an airlock system to have air for astronauts to breathe.
Extreme temperature variations – the moon camp will have a thermal control system.
High levels of radiation – as mentioned before the moon camp will be designed by regolith and it will be located at the rim of a crater.
Risk of meteoroids – camp will have a protective outside layer and since our camp will be inside a crater meteoroid risks are low.
Creating a moon camp that sustains human life requires careful consideration of various factors. Such as providing water, food, power and air for astronauts.
Water – astronauts can get water by extracting it from lunar regolith (which will be only small amount) or by melting ice inside a crater. Alternatively, recycling systems could be used to collect and purify urine and wastewater, providing reliable source of water for moon camp
Food – astronauts will use hydroponic farming for growing plants and use led lighting to simulate sunlight. It is also possible to fertilize plants with human waste.
Power – astronauts will use solar panels for electric power. Although by night we get less power than at day, we will use solar inverter to have power 24/7
Air- As mentioned before, the moon camp will have an airlock system, which will also prevent any dust entering living quarters
We will deal with the waste produced by astronauts on the moon through a closed-loop that recycles and reuses materials whenever possible. Human waste and food waste can be recycled and used as fertilizer for farms. Plastics and metals can be recycled and reused whenever possible. And waste which cannot be recycled will be transported back to earth.
Moon Camp can utilize various communication technologies to have communication with Earth and other Moon bases. Most efficient solution is satellite communication, which can offer high-speed data transfer and enable real-time communication. If satellite communication isn’t possible, moon camp can also use radio communication. Which is reliable for long – distance communication.
Research focus of our group will be exploration and resource utilization: exploitation of water, ice, regolith and minerals. We will use in-situ analysis experiments, since they are more time efficient and analyze lunar resources more fundamentally.
Astronauts need to develop reflexes and problem-solving skills. Since dire situations can happen, they must be prepared and find solutions
Firstly, astronauts will have to be in excellent physical and mental condition, therefore they will undergo physical and psychological training. They will also be trained in how to utilize a space suit and perform certain tasks, such as repairing equipment and collecting samples. Along with this they will have to be trained to deal with emergency procedures, such as fire, medical emergencies, etc.
Secondly, they will have fundamental knowledge in lunar geology, science, navigation and operations, as well as knowledge about how to recycle and manage water, food production and air maintenance.
Lastly and most importantly, they will be taught communication and teamwork, since it plays a major role in succeeding on space camp.
Space craft for earth-moon transportation, it will be needed to transport astronauts and equipment from earth to the moon and back.
We will also have a lunar rover, which will be designed to explore the moon’s surface and travel long distances. It will carry instruments and equipment and be powered by solar panels.
