moon_camp

Moon Camp Pioneers Gallery 2019-2020

In Moon Camp Pioneers each team’s mission is to 3D design a complete Moon Camp using Fusion 360. They also have to explain how they will use local resources, protect astronauts from the dangerous of space and describe the living and working facilities.

Team: Looking to Mars II

Orvalle  Madrid    Spain 15 to 16 years old

External viewer for 3d project

Project description

[42]

Describe your Moon Camp project.

Looking to Mars II consists in two inflatable tubes of approximately 60 m2 each and joined together. Furthermore, these tubes will be covered with concrete fabricated with lunar resources such as regolith. On the other hand, the base has the presence of a gym, bedrooms, bathroom, laboratories as well as a greenhouse. The well-being of 4/5 astronauts will be guaranteed because each person needs 20/30 m2 to live comfortably. The base will be located in the Shackleton crater located at the lunar south pole where in addition to having almost permanently lunar light, ice gas has been found. The base will be energetically sustainable because it will have, not only solar panels but also nuclear reactors and radioisotope thermal generators. Also, it will be installed a garage where a lunar vehicle which could facilitate astronauts movement, will be protected. The base will be communicated with Earth by digital radio.

Where do you want to build your Moon Camp?

Our base will be located inside the Shackleton crater, where the days and therefore light are almost permanent. In addition, ice gas has been found inside, as well as other materials for the construction of other structures such as silicon, aluminum, iron and various minerals. On the other hand, in the south pole is located in one of the largest impact craters in the solar system. It is called the Aitken basin and it may be a place that scientists would like to investigate. The base will be located exactly in the upper part of the interior of the crater where the light will remain permanent and also in this location the astronauts will be more protected from radiation and meteorites.

How do you plan to build your Moon Camp? Describe the techniques and materials you would use.

Our base consists of two inflatable tubes that in turn will be covered by a concrete made only from moon dust that would bind from the abundant purified sulfide on the moon’s surface. There will be also a kind of module that will be the hydroponic greenhouse, in addition to another that will use the feces of astronauts to grow basic foods such as potatoes. On the other hand, solar panels that repel moon dust will be installed. For this, a silicon substrate, a semiconductor used in photovoltaic cells, will be installed on them to achieve self-cleaning abilities.

Water
Food
Electricity
Air

Inside the Shackleton crater, ice gas has already been found from which water can be extracted. On the other hand, diverse NASA studies claim that the lunar wind enriches the satellite’s surface with elements that could produce water. Among others, H and O atoms are produced forming the OH molecule, component of water. If that were not enough, water could be extracted from each rock after being irradiated by the lunar wind. In addition, our base will have a mechanism installed in which the urine will be heated in a tank and will subsequently be filtered to eliminate nitrogen, potassium or phosphorous. The result would be drinking water.

At our base there will be a bioreactor to recycle the waste generated by astronauts and convert it into edible biomass. This device transforms organic materials into foods like microalgae and other edible products. In addition, this diet will be completed with traditional food brought from Earth and from a plantation. Hydroponic farming techniques will be carried out in which the plants will be grown in water instead of on the ground and will be illuminated by LED lights and mirrors that reflect sunlight. On the other hand, according to some models, tomato and wheat will be able to grow on the lunar surface so they could be cultivated.

The energy will be obtained through solar panels installed on the peaks located on the edge of the Shackleton crater and which are exposed to sunlight almost continuously. On the other hand, although nuclear reactors are a more reliable alternative sunlight, solar panels will be used as the main source. Also our base will have the presence of radioisotope thermal generators that produce energy by generating an electric current from the temperature difference, from the change in temperature between the day and the lunar night.

Electrolysis will be used to obtain oxygen. This is a process by which it is possible to decompose the hydrogen and oxygen molecules that form water. The energy needed will be supplied by radioisotope thermal generators is necessary. Hydrogen will be used for rocket fuel and the lunar modules necessary to return to Earth. The captured carbon dioxide will undergo the same process and the excess carbon can be used to obtain fossil fuels. In addition, moon rocks contain up to 40% oxygen that can also be used.

How do you plan to build your Moon Camp? Which materials would you use?

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The environment on the Moon is very dangerous for the astronauts. Explain how your Moon Camp will protect them.

Our base will be made not only with inflatable tubes brought from the Earth but also reinforced by a thick layer of lunar concrete that protects the base from radiation and the impact of small meteorites. In addition, our base will be located in the upper interior part of the Shackleton crater where the astronauts can be even more protected. On the other hand, our base will feature a dozen inflatable spheres charged with a very high static electricity potential (100 megavolts) and made of fine and strong materials. These would be placed at high altitudes to prevent the spheres from being touched by astronauts. This will create a force field that will protect astronauts from solar radiation. To protect structures such as solar panels from moon dust using self-cleaning systems. Regarding the prevention of a meteorite fall, a telescope will also be installed at the base.

Describe a day on the Moon for your Moon Camp astronaut crew.

Looking to Mars II will house 4/5 astronauts, including a doctor, because the base must be self-sufficient in terms of medical care. Among them there will also be several engineers and a scientist (biologist and geologist) to carry out different investigations. The astronauts’ jobs will determine their functions throughout the day.

However, all of them will wake up at 7:30 and get cleaned. Each one will take a shower in which wet wipes will be used. Those astronauts with long hair have bags of water with a mouthpiece that can be applied directly to the head, shampoo that does not need to be rinsed. Having neither running water nor a washing machine, the crew carry clothes to use and throw away.

After personal hygiene they will go to the store where they keep food and to the garden to choose a healthy breakfast with nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, dairy products, vitamins and whole grains such as wheat. Some foods need to be hydrated and others need to be microwaved. After several hours of checking the system, which means carrying out a daily maintenance routine, all the crew members will undergo an exercise session in the base gym. Including cardio exercises to maintain muscle strength. Both stationary bikes and treadmills will be used since keeping fit during their stay in space is meaningful. After performing their daily exercise routine it will be lunchtime when they will eat a completely balanced menu. Greenhouse products will be used, as well as different products already brought from the Earth that include proteins and sometimes their own transformed feces. They have sauces like ketchup or mustard, but there is neither salt nor pepper because it could sneak through the vents and damage the base. Because of the same reason, they don’t eat bread because of the risk their crumbs present. The rest of the time is spent on scientific tasks, such as conducting experiments and maintaining the base. Occasionally they also leave the base for a spacewalk, either to repair the station or to conduct scientific research. Free time is spent on various activities: some tweet about their experience and others take a musical instrument and play it.

Finally, dinner is prepared in the same way as food and later they lie down in their sleeping bags to sleep 8 hours.



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