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.
III Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Marynarki Wojennej RP w Gdyni Gdynia-Pomorskie Poland 14, 17, 18 5 / 1 English
3D design software: BlenderKit
Lunar Exploration Mission (LEM) Moon Camp is named after a pioneer of the science-fiction genre in Poland – Stanisław Lem.
The base will be located on the South Pole of the Moon, on the rim of the Shoemaker crater to make use of in-situ resources. The base is divided into modules, including a sleep & relaxation area, gym, kitchen, mission control, medical bay, and a laboratory for conducting experiments. Additionally, an aeroponic greenhouse dome, gravity lab, and a shed for Doglike GLIMPSE robots will be built in the later stages of the mission.
Our mission’s purpose is scientific research. Experiments across the fields of biology, planetary science, geology, and physics will be carried out. Additionally, we’ll monitor Astronauts’ physical and mental health for the purpose of future space explorations.
LEM will significantly contribute to the development of lunar exploration and science. By the virtue of base design, the mission will be able to develop from a single base to a lunar colony, potentially giving the start to a lunar colony in the future.
The vision of the LEM Moon Camp is to experiment with sustainable and international lunar exploration.
LEM’s main purpose is scientific, namely to carry out experiments in the fields of biology, physics, and genetics. Additionally, we’ll test the utility of in-situ resources, such as frozen water, which could be a cost-effective solution for a longer presence on the Moon. Our other purpose is to, in the future, transform the single base into a lunar colony.
Our secondary purpose is educational. Astronauts will record short videos showing their life on the Moon, which later will be used for space education and to raise popularity across social media (we’ll even make the first TikTok from the Moon!).
We chose the rim of the Shoemaker crater (around Lat: -88,48°, Lon: 76,20°) as our location.
All data taken from the LROC website: https://quickmap.lroc.asu.edu/ [Accessed 18.04.23]
Materials
Techniques & Design Choices
Sources
100% of the model design is ours. Some materials were taken from the BlenderKit free database.
For posters used inside of our base:
Radiation
A layer of lead and electromagnetic shields will provide overall protection against radiation and electromagnetic interference. The tunnels between the modules will be covered with regolith to protect them. The dome, on the other hand, will be made of lead glass, which provides good protection against radiation. In addition, we will constantly monitor the radiation levels in the base using geiger counters.
Meteorites
General surveys and statistics show that meteorite falls do not happen that often, and if they do they are micrometeorites. The layer that protects against radiation should provide basic protection against such. Additionally, we’ll use special shields for advanced protection against micrometeorites.
Heat dissipation and big temperature difference
The walls of the base must provide ample thermal insulation to keep the temperature inside relatively constant. For the most part, this can be provided by a layer for radiation protection and, in addition to this, there will be a thin insulation layer as well as a layer to protect against heat transfer by radiation (i.e. infrared), In addition, there will be a system in the base to more accurately stabilise the temperature to an appropriate value. Furthermore, semi-permeable photovoltaic panels will be placed in the glass of the dome to generate electricity and protect against high temperatures during the lunar day.
Lunar dust
To protect against lunar dust, i.e. very fine pieces of silicates and other compounds that can be potentially harmful to humans, we will use an air filtration system in the airlocks. In order to protect the photovoltaic panels from this dust settling on them, they will be able to change their angle of inclination and chute this dust.
Water
“Aqua factorem” method for water extraction
Water is recycled using algae bioreactors and MELiSSA system, ensuring a closed system
Rover searches and maps lunar ice, chemicals and underground rocks obstructing excavation
Spectrometer analyses soil samples from different depths for water
It drills under the lunar surface and excavates large amounts of regolith
Transportation rover deploys the excavator and delivers regolith
Food
AI monitors data inside the aeroponic greenhouse(temperature, CO2 levels, humidity, light wavelength & growth cycles) then adjusts them to optimise the environment for growing different vegetables
Adding 100mg Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) to vegetables (like Toscano Kale) to reduce anxiety
Wearable, interceptive tech’s Algorithms analyses data (heart rate, sleep cycle, physical exercise, weight change, water intake) to compute specialised individual nutrients
3D printed food tailored to Astronauts’ caloric and nutritional needs aids traditional cooking methods
Astronauts prepare, eat and clean after meals together to strengthen connections.
Thanks to 3D printing, Astronauts can enjoy their cultural/religious meals.
Air
The base’s atmosphere is constantly recirculated and purified, removing carbon dioxide while replenishing oxygen by the aforementioned bioreactor in a closed loop.
To obtain oxygen, we use concentrated solar technology (we’ll need a small reactor, seal on the outside and fresnel lens) to melt regolith. Electrodes inside of the reactor pull apart the metals from the oxygen and keeping a low-pressure, we’ll draw the oxygen out of the system and store it in pressurised gas tanks.
Power
Electricity is generated using solar panels placed on the roof and in dome glass. This energy is stored in a closed system of hydrogen fuel cells and batteries to increase safety and minimise the possibility of power loss. We chose fuel cells because their fuel can be stored modularly in external tanks, providing a lightweight solution to the energy storage problem.
Human Waste
Urine and faeces is treated and processed in a waste management unit, similar to the water recycling system on the International Space Station (ISS), and bioreactor, to produce water and solid waste that can be safely stored or disposed of
Faeces is turned into bioplastic tools by using 3D printing
Recycling
Using 3D printing, we reuse certain plastics or metals into new tools
Using anaerobic composting, we turn the organic waste into fertile soil which can produce heat & CH4 and methane gas which can fuel our rockets
Storage
Radioactive or hazardous materials would need to be stored in specially designed containers to prevent contamination of the lunar environment
Additionally, a tagging system will make it clear what is everything made of, how can it be managed as a waste or how to reuse it.
An antenna for the ultra-short wave band with omnidirectional radiation characteristics will be placed on the base, used for local communication with astronauts during operations outside the base and for transmitting data from measuring stations or other external devices. This method will only be used within the horizon.
If we need to communicate with a station, rover or sensor that lies beyond the horizon, we will use the Moon-Earth-Moon method. In this case, the Earth can be used as a relay, giving coverage to almost the entire hemisphere of the Moon.
The point where the base is located allows direct permanent communication with Earth using directional microwave antennas. Such a link, due to the frequency used, is quite resistant to interference and does not require high power.
LEM’s main purpose is researching biological experiments and exploration of lava tubes. Several experiments are proposed:
The impact on plants’ and fungi. Life forms like to adapt to new conditions, so we are likely to see some mutations. Potential specimens would be a radiotrophic fungus such as Cladosporium sphaerospermum or Cryptococcus neoformans.
Bio-modification of plant and fungal survival. Bio-enhancements could include greater melanin production and would test the superiority of bio-modified organisms and how it affects plants’ edibility.
Testing DNA storage on the Moon. One day we could use the Moon as an ark for genetic material, as it’s better to store important information in different places.
Our base would be deployed near a potential section of lava tubes, which would open up the possibility of exploring them using Doglike GLIMPSE robots. This robotic crew would record radiation and temperatures inside, as well as study geological aspects of these caves such as, wall structure and composition. The robots would also search for potential water. The mission would consist of multiple robots performing different tasks to form one cohesive unit.
These experiments provide valuable data for later missions and settlements, which would open up a new branch of the economy.
Furthermore, a study of the propagation of electromagnetic waves in the radio spectrum in an environment without atmosphere will be conducted. This experiment is based on the study of how far a radio wave can travel in an environment in which there can be no reflections and refractions of the wave. By carrying out this experiment, it is possible to check and find the maximum distance at which a lunar base can be from another base or survey station, a possible relay or lunar vehicle so that information can be stably transmitted between them.
Environmental training
Astronauts will be isolated and put in extreme polar environments (for example, frozen Canadian tundra or lunar habitat in Swiss Alps) for a long period of time to practise their expedition behaviour.
In the wild, they will be given spontaneous tasks such as moving their camp, retrieving food and supplies dropped at random points and bringing it back to the camp.
In the lunar habitat that’ll resemble our Moon Camp, they will be performing everyday routines based on past ESA/NASA missions, but they will also be given spontaneous tasks in order to develop their ability to improvise in harsh circumstances.
Astronauts will participate in ESA’s Cooperative Adventure for Valuing and Exercising human behaviour and performance Skill (CAVES) courses.
Technical training
Astronauts will train moonwalk, assembling Moon Camp, gathering regolith samples and carrying out experiments in a pool designed to simulate low-gravity and lunar lighting conditions. Soil at the bottom of the pool will mimic the lunar ground.
They will also train in virtual reality to simulate the robotics operations, mass handling and entire mission from pre-launch to landing. Virtual reality will enable them to train during pre-launch quarantine.
Geoscience
Astronauts will participate in the Pangea course to gain knowledge about field geoscience, planetary science and astrobiology, necessary to “identify and document scientifically relevant samples in the field and communicate to ground control using efficient and geologically correct language”
Flight training
Astronauts will train on reduced-gravity aircraft to simulate low-gravity conditions they will experience during their flight to the Moon.
Psychological training
Astronauts will participate in mindfulness training to help them cope with the isolation and stress.
The team will attend group therapy to work on communication, possible areas of conflict and how to effectively deal with it.
The base would be transported to lunar orbit via a rocket at least 14 metres in diameter. Once in orbit each lander will descend onto designated landing locations. At first the crew would traverse the lunar surface using regular lightweight rovers, but when the base is at a more advanced level, astronauts will switch to the Desert RATS rover. The regolith for hydrogen oxygen and mineral extraction is going to be transported by the autonomous rover. Additionally we will use the aforementioned GLIMPSE robots parried with transport rovers for autonomous exploration.
