http://institute.nsta.org/web_seminars.asp

NASA/NSTA Web Seminar:

Energy and a Sustainable Habitat

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Energy and Sustainable Habitats

Anuradha Koratkar,

Susan Hoban,

Albert Hill, and

Brendan Shaughnessy

Imagine…

• 6 astronauts, 6 months, the Moon– What will they need to have?

– What resources will they already have?

– How much energy will they need?– How will they generate this energy?

Solar Energy

• The study and use of solar energy is called photovoltaics from

– Phos: Greek for “light”

– Volta: Count Alessandro Volta created the first electric battery and is considered one of the fathers of electricity

History of Solar Energy

• Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect in 1839.

• William Coblentz created the first solar cell in 1883.

Photovoltaics• Light is composed of tiny particles called

photons.• An atom is a tiny nucleus and a relatively

large electron cloud, so the photon usually hits an electron.

• Electrons may then have enough energy to separate from the atom.

What is the charge of the…?

Photoelectron Remaining AtomPositive PositiveNegative Negative

Classical Solar Energy

• Cell has a positive and negative coating• A photon can excite an electron enough to

flow as electricity• The electricity is then conducted across a

wire to power a load

Solar Energy on Earth

• The Earth’s atmosphere receives around 1350 watts per square meter

• North America receives about 125 - 375 watts per square meter

• The Sun’s energy is reflected or absorbed by Earth’s atmosphere

What causes the energy from the Sun to be distributed across the Earth like this?

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Solar Energy in Space

• Negligible atmospheric interference– In general, Esun=1366/d2

• How often is sunlight available?

Energy Flow

SOURCES SINKS

Food and Water

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Air

• Possible energy sinks– Heating/Cooling – 100-200 kWh / month– Circulation – 100-200 kWh / month– Filtration, Pressurization

• Can you think of more?

Other Sinks

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

How much energy does an average family of 4 use in the U.S?

Poll Question:

Energy usage (kWh/month)

Food 100 400 700

Air 600 800 1000

Water 200 300 400

Energy usage (kWh/month)

Equipment 500 750 1000

Habitat 100 250 500

Miscellaneous 100 250 500

Your Solar Energy Farm

• If a 1 meter x 1 meter panel creates 30 kWh per month, what is the size of the energy farm?

• Stamp the picture that is closest to the size of the necessary solar array.

Where will you locate the solar farm on the Moon?

• Lunar days and nights are 14 days long.

• Are there locations with near continuous sunlight?

• Where are these locations and why do they exist?

• Is this near water resources?

Closed Ecosystems

• Ideally do not require or produce matter

• Usually do have energy inputs and outputs– Energy input ideally equals energy output

• Can you name any closed ecosystems?

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Sustainable Habitats

• BIOS 3– Crew of 3– Longest mission was 180

days long• Dried meats were

introduced to the system• Used algae to recycle

oxygen• Required 400 kW

Sustainable Habitats

• Biosphere 2

Sustainable Habitats

• Biosphere 2– Located in Oracle, Arizona– Crew of 8– Longest mission was 2 years long

• 1991 – 1993• Eventually required oxygen and other materials

System Requirements

• What are some other important considerations in designing a closed, sustainable habitat?

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Thank you so much for participating in our web seminar!

If you have any questions let us discuss them on the discussion listserv.

Flavio will send you a link for you to subscribe.

National Science Teachers AssociationGerry Wheeler, Executive Director

Frank Owens, Associate Executive Director Conferences and Programs

Al Byers, Assistant Executive Director e-Learning

LIVE INTERACTIVE LEARNING @ YOUR DESKTOP

NSTA Web SeminarsFlavio Mendez, Program Manager

Jeff Layman, Technical CoordinatorJudith Lopes, Administrative Assistant

Susan Hurstcalderone, Volunteer Chat Moderator