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Our project aims to be innovative in several parameters. It is designed to serve as an infrastructure for up to 6 astronauts that can accommodate up to 8, if necessary. The base intends to include the exploration and investigation, by astronauts, of several minerals present on the moon. The collection of information carried out at the base will serve as a basis for a possible colonization of the moon. This base is made up of several modules and may expand in order to include many more hosts, serving as the beginning of colonization. We will also have a new generation telescope to observe in the range of IV’s, a resolution capable of providing information about the formation and evolution of the first galaxies, planets and stars and to see the production of the elements by the stars. Having a telescope on the lunar base would have advantages over the Earth since they will be free from the interference of light from the housesand there are no climatic events in the atmosphere that hinder the space observations.

Our group decided to place Moon Camp in the lunar pit that islocated in the Sea of Tranquility. We chose this location due to the knowledge already acquired from the area (thanks to the Apollo missions) and the fact that we are protected from meteorites and radiation. We chose this location as well, due to the existence of lunar lava tubes that consist of underground tunnels where it is believed that in the past there were streams of magma that cooled down, thus originating the lunar lava tubes. In these tunnels, the thermal amplitude is substantially smaller in relation to other areas of the moon, with the average temperature being approximately -20ºC (there are inhabited areas on earth where the minimum temperatures are much more negative), making it a more stable and livable environment.

Our group decided to place Moon Camp in the lunar pit that is located in the Sea of Tranquility. We chose this location due to the knowledge already acquired from the area (thanks to the Apollo missions) and the fact that we are protected from meteorites and radiation. We chose this location as well, due to the existence of lunar lava tubes that consist of underground tunnels where it is believed that in the past there were streams of magma that cooled down, thus originating the lunar lava tubes. In these tunnels, the thermal amplitude is substantially smaller in relation to other areas of the moon, with the average temperature being approximately -20ºC (there are inhabited areas on earth where the minimum temperatures are much more negative), making it a more stable and livable environment.

Our project would initially be supplied with water from the Earth, but later on it would have a water reuse system practically 100% efficient. This system would filter urine to reuse the water lost in it. It would compact and filter the water lost in the feces. A dehumidifying system that would collect water losses through human and planttranspiration making it drinkable again. To cool the nuclear power plant, there would also be a closed water circulation system. This closed circuit would cool the reactors and, in turn, cool in the surface with negative temperatures.

Our base would be 100% nutritionally sustainable as different foods would be cultivated and created. These foods would be vegetables, nuts, oats and potatoes as they are quite easy to grow. The base would still have an insect production, being a good fast growingsource of nutrients without spending a lot of water and not taking up much space. These would supply the needs for carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, fibers, vitamins and minerals. Any deficit can be eliminated with pills supplementation from Earth.

At first, the base would be solar powered until the nuclear plant was completed. As soon as the nuclear power plant was completed and the base began to achieve energy sustainability, we would use the radiation present in the rocks to support it. The rocks used to obtain uranium (mineral used in the nuclear power plant) would originate from the exploration of the moon by astronauts. This radioactive energy would be much more efficient than solar energy (another viable solution) without containing the risk of environmental disaster present on Earth. The reactors would be cooled as previously explained.

Our base would have an innovative system. It would consist of pipes with algae of the Chlorella type, highly efficient in the production of oxygen, placed in the greenhouse. Thus, these algae would consume the excess of carbon dioxide present in the base, generating oxygen used in the breathing of insects and astronauts (in addition to the plants present in the greenhouse for the purpose of food production). There would also be a ventilation system in order to eliminate odors. Thus, it would supply the air renewal needs.

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As mentioned earlier, we plan to place the base in a lunar pit, then cover it with about 3m of lunar regolith. This way, when it goes underground, the base will acquire 3 desired characteristics. The base will be completely protected from the meteorite rain. The thermal amplitudes are going to be substantially smaller, which means that not so much energy is needed to maintain the temperature suitable for human life, plantations and insect cultures. Being underground it will be completely protected from the deadly solar radiation. Even if this “natural” protection is not enough, we can create a protection with a reflective material during construction to eliminate any harmful radiation that has passed. These characteristics are more suitable for long-term human inhabitation.

As already mentioned, in our project the group of astronauts has the functions of maintaining the base and scientific research, be it exploration of the moon from minerals to the geological past, or even research to make potential colonization of the moon possible. Our base being prepared for 6 astronauts would be separated into 3 groups. One of them would be responsible for spacial observation, the other group would be responsible for fieldwork (leaving MoonCamp and exploring minerals and the like) and for laboratory research (study of minerals, growth of living beings in lower gravity than Earth, etc… ). Having two members for each group, we now have two last elements, one responsible for cleaning, maintaining, harvesting and collecting food from the greenhouse and the other responsible for the nuclear power plant. These functions will not be unique for each astronaut, and any of these will be suitable for any proposed task. Although the base is designed for 6 full-time astronauts, it has the capacity to accommodate 2 more for a reduced time. They will be able to perform any necessary function, such as a doctor from Earth to do a check-up or even an emergency intervention.
So, on a normal day, an astronaut wakes up, goes to the gym to exercise and after a good workout he has an oat breakfast as it is a good source of fiber and provides energy for the day. Secondly, it joins the crew in the meeting room where they organize the day and distribute tasks (this meeting is facilitated through a VR system that offers a visual aid in planning the day, showing, for example, an interactive base plan in 3D), then the inhabitant goes to his designated area to work and when he finishes his shift, he returns to the canteen for lunch. This meal will be based on a source of proteins and hydrates, such as insects and potatoes. Then, the subject can continue his tasks or,for example, he can visit the rest area, built with the purpose of relieving emotional distress. In this compartment, the person is faced with an environment of terrestrial nature, whether in visual terms (such as flowers, waterfalls, …) or auditory (such as sounds of birds chirping, water running, sound of the wind, etc.). This environment is scientifically proven to help relieve stress and increase productivity. Finally, after dinner, he concludes his workday and can enjoy the remaining time until his deserved rest for leisure activities such as communicating with the family back on Earth.