Lunar Outpost Lunar Outpost Design submitted by Design submitted by

Fulmore Middle Fulmore Middle SchoolSchool

November 30, 2006November 30, 2006Please click to advance through the slide show.

This is the official patch we designed to represent Terra Luna

Terra LunaTerra Luna

An international moon base for research, exploration, and preparation

for the mission to Mars

OverviewOverview

• Terra Luna will be an international space center devoted to research and exploration of the moon and provide a staging and preparation center for missions beyond the moon. Terra Luna is designed to accommodate 20 inhabitants. It will be 25.60 meters by 25.60 meters (84 feet by 84 feet) and 6 meters high (not including the dome). Its dome-shaped covering will extend 15 meters from the top of the 2nd floor.

Terra LunaTerra LunaWe address the following areas with our Lunar Outpost

Design:• Location• Energy• Human Factors• Exploration and EVA Activities• Research Station Architecture and Materials

• Contamination

Terra LunaTerra Luna

The (analog) Earth location for Terra Luna will be located at MckinneyFalls State Park in Austin, Texas. Mckinney Falls can be foundat Longitude: 0970 43' 31.2" Latitude: 300 11' 04.6“ Elevation: 00484.

Strengths:• Rocky terrain • Hills and valleys• Some cleared areas (crater like)• People (This is a strength and a weakness)Weaknesses:• Not that many craters• Trees• Animals• People--We would restrict access to the moon base area, but we would alsowant people to see it. We would have a visitor center near the base, but not soclose to disrupt the operations of our moon base.

We built a 2.13 Meter scale model. It blocked the hallway.We built a 2.13 Meter scale model. It blocked the hallway.

This is an interior view.This is an interior view.

This is the dome we created.This is the dome we created.

We are putting on the dome!We are putting on the dome!

Terra Luna LocationTerra Luna Location

The moon location for Terra Luna will be located in a small crater

close to the Barrow crater. The Barrow crater can be found at

Longitude: 7.7 degrees East and Latitude: 71.3 degrees North.

The strengths of this location include:

1. Constructing a building Inside the crater will protect the inhabitants and equipment from radiation.

2. There is a constant light and energy source as it is towards the north pole which receives almost constant sunlight.

Terra Luna Energy and Life SupportTerra Luna Energy and Life Support

The energy requirements for the heating/cooling, cooking, The energy requirements for the heating/cooling, cooking, working, lighting, and communication systems for Terra Luna working, lighting, and communication systems for Terra Luna Space Center will be large. We have strategically positioned Space Center will be large. We have strategically positioned Terra Lunar near the north pole so that we can make use of the Terra Lunar near the north pole so that we can make use of the almost constant sun for our vast array of solar panels.almost constant sun for our vast array of solar panels.

Using the photo voltaic technology developed by the Glenn Using the photo voltaic technology developed by the Glenn Research center and currently used on the ISS, we plan to use Research center and currently used on the ISS, we plan to use double the amount of solar cells used on the ISS. This amounts double the amount of solar cells used on the ISS. This amounts to 524,800 solar cells which would cover an area of about 5,000 to 524,800 solar cells which would cover an area of about 5,000 M2. We would have approximately ½ of a football field of solar M2. We would have approximately ½ of a football field of solar cells on either side of Terra Luna. The solar cells will be cells on either side of Terra Luna. The solar cells will be supplemented with nickel-hydrogen rechargeable batteries. We supplemented with nickel-hydrogen rechargeable batteries. We should have abut 220 kW of power to take care of Terra Luna’s should have abut 220 kW of power to take care of Terra Luna’s energy requirements.energy requirements.

Terra Luna Life SupportTerra Luna Life Support

• Life support systems on Terra Luna will be regulated for thermal balance. The station will be insulated using materials similar to that used in the ISS. We will use the reflective blanket called Multi-Layer Insulation (or MLI) made of Mylar and Dacron. The MLI will be positioned between the exterior and interior walls. This will help to keep the interior of the Terra Luna at a comfortable 68-70 degrees. Part of the roof (dome) of Terra Luna will be constructed of glass so that the sun’s rays can enter the greenhouse and so the sun’s rays can be diverted to different parts of Terra Luna to provide both light and warmth. We will regulate the percentage of the sun’s rays, and, along with the MLI and basic heaters and coolers, we can keep the temperature consistent and comfortable.

Terra Luna FoodTerra Luna Food

• We know the inhabitants of Terra Luna will come from many different nationalities and countries, and this means a wide variety of palates. We also know that food brings comfort, so we are going to have an international menu on Terra Luna. The food will come from both prepared food sent from Earth as well as from fresh fruits and vegetables grown in our extensive Terra Luna greenhouse.

Terra Luna Greenhouse (Bird’s Eye view)Terra Luna Greenhouse (Bird’s Eye view)

Terra Luna Greenhouse

Terra Luna Human FactorsTerra Luna Human Factors

As the inhabitants of the moon base will be there for long As the inhabitants of the moon base will be there for long periods of time, suchperiods of time, such things as recreation, privacy, social things as recreation, privacy, social areas, quiet areas, and communication with home are areas, quiet areas, and communication with home are carefully considered. The floor plan is designed so that the carefully considered. The floor plan is designed so that the living quarters are on the first floor and include a kitchen living quarters are on the first floor and include a kitchen (with recipes from around the world) to accommodate the (with recipes from around the world) to accommodate the tastes of the international inhabitants, study and quiet tastes of the international inhabitants, study and quiet areas, an impressive communication system connected to areas, an impressive communication system connected to radio and Internet satellites for communications with Earth, radio and Internet satellites for communications with Earth, even directly to cell phones. Also, Terra Luna will have a even directly to cell phones. Also, Terra Luna will have a recreation room where inhabitants can exercise, watch recreation room where inhabitants can exercise, watch movies, and relax. Along with the construction of Terra movies, and relax. Along with the construction of Terra Luna, several lunar communication satellites will be put into Luna, several lunar communication satellites will be put into orbit, along with the construction of several radio towers on orbit, along with the construction of several radio towers on the lunar ground, to provide constant communication with the lunar ground, to provide constant communication with Terra Luna and those researchers who are outside the Terra Luna and those researchers who are outside the moon base doing research. At times, the researchers may moon base doing research. At times, the researchers may travel up to 100 miles away from the moon base, and they travel up to 100 miles away from the moon base, and they will always be able to stay in contact.will always be able to stay in contact.

 

Terra Luna Sleeping AreasTerra Luna Sleeping Areas

Terra Luna Study and Rest AreaTerra Luna Study and Rest Area

Terra Luna Kitchen AreaTerra Luna Kitchen Area

Terra Luna Recreation & Exercise RoomTerra Luna Recreation & Exercise Room

Terra Luna ToiletTerra Luna Toilet

Terra Luna RestroomTerra Luna Restroom

Terra Luna Terra Luna Extra Vehicular ActivityExtra Vehicular Activity

Objectives:Objectives:1.1. To research lunar rock and soil (with an emphasis on extracting oxygen from To research lunar rock and soil (with an emphasis on extracting oxygen from

rocks).rocks).2.2. TransportationTransportation3.3. To explore new areas of the moonTo explore new areas of the moon

Description:Description:The Lunar Buggy will be solar powered and include back up batteries.The Lunar Buggy will be solar powered and include back up batteries.The frame will be made of aluminum alloy, utilize a spring suspension, and it The frame will be made of aluminum alloy, utilize a spring suspension, and it will hold two passengers. There will be communication and navigation deviceswill hold two passengers. There will be communication and navigation devices (radio, Internet, and LPS (Lunar Positioning Systems) within the buggy.(radio, Internet, and LPS (Lunar Positioning Systems) within the buggy.The buggy will have a trunk to transport research artifacts, and safety belts and The buggy will have a trunk to transport research artifacts, and safety belts and a roll bar in the event one of the astronauts rolls it over. Terra Luna will have aa roll bar in the event one of the astronauts rolls it over. Terra Luna will have a fleet of four Lunar Buggies. The space suits used during EVA will be comparablefleet of four Lunar Buggies. The space suits used during EVA will be comparable to those used by shuttle and ISS crewmembers during their EVAs.to those used by shuttle and ISS crewmembers during their EVAs.

Terra Luna Lunar Buggy Side ViewTerra Luna Lunar Buggy Side View

Terra Luna Lunar Buggy Top and Side ViewsTerra Luna Lunar Buggy Top and Side Views

Terra Luna Rover Shed and Entry/Exit Point

 

Rover shed for parking, repairs, and access to Terra Luna

This access area will be connected to the Terra Luna main base

Exit area for Rovers and EVA

Terra Luna Architecture and MaterialsTerra Luna Architecture and Materials

The layout of Terra Luna will support the mission: long term exploration of the moon and staging and preparation for Mars. Terra Luna has a first floor that has living quarters and a second floor with laboratories and working areas. Terra Luna will be 25.60 meters by 25.60 meters and will comfortably house 20 men and women. Terra Luna will be built into a crater to protect from radiation. The first and second floors will be below the rim of the crater. The roof of the second floor will be parallel to the rim of the crater, and the Terra Luna dome will extend above the rim of the crater. The dome will be comprised of partly glass and partly aluminum alloys. The aluminum alloys will be of the type currently used on the ISS. The glass part of the dome will allow the greenhouse to receive sunlight and will allow for the strategic direction of sunlight to enter the facility and provide light and warmth.

Terra Luna Living Quarters (1Terra Luna Living Quarters (1stst Floor) Floor)         

       

 

Female Bedrooms Male Bedrooms

Storage

Kitchen

Recreation and exercise room

Dining area

Bathroom/showers

Staircase to 2nd floor

Bathroom

Medical center

Study room/quiet areas for reflection

Terra Luna Working Area (2Terra Luna Working Area (2ndnd Floor) Floor)

Central Communication

Robotics Lab

Mechanics Lab

Life Support Systems

Chemistry and Biology Lab

Back up Power Supplies

STORAGE

STORAGE

Geology Lab

Medical Research

Hydrology Lab

Agriculture Lab & Greenhouse

STORAGE

STORAGE

Terra Luna LaboratoryTerra Luna Laboratory

Terra Luna (long-distance view)Terra Luna (long-distance view)

Terra Luna and Plans for Dealing Terra Luna and Plans for Dealing with Contaminationwith Contamination

• The inhabitants of Terra Luna will be protected from radiation for the most The inhabitants of Terra Luna will be protected from radiation for the most part by being inside the crater and inside the Terra Luna structure. The part by being inside the crater and inside the Terra Luna structure. The alloy building materials and insulation will also help to shield Luna’s alloy building materials and insulation will also help to shield Luna’s inhabitants from harmful elements. When outside the structure, researchers inhabitants from harmful elements. When outside the structure, researchers will wear space suits similar to what shuttle and ISS crew members use for will wear space suits similar to what shuttle and ISS crew members use for their EVAs.their EVAs.

• There are two primary access points into Terra Luna via the EVA Rover There are two primary access points into Terra Luna via the EVA Rover Sheds. Within the sheds are double doors for passing between the Sheds. Within the sheds are double doors for passing between the environment of the moon and the artificial environment created by Terra environment of the moon and the artificial environment created by Terra Firma. Within Terra Luna a vast ventilation system will control the Firma. Within Terra Luna a vast ventilation system will control the movement of air and the conversion of dirty air to clean air. We will also use movement of air and the conversion of dirty air to clean air. We will also use the Terra Firma greenhouse for air purification in addition to a food source.the Terra Firma greenhouse for air purification in addition to a food source.

• The Terra Firma plumbing system will convert all gray water back to clean The Terra Firma plumbing system will convert all gray water back to clean water via a system of filters and organic materials. Although the Terra Luna water via a system of filters and organic materials. Although the Terra Luna will operate with a 100% recycle policy, any toxic materials that cannot be will operate with a 100% recycle policy, any toxic materials that cannot be recycled will be safely stored in container bins away from the structure. recycled will be safely stored in container bins away from the structure.

Ventilation SystemVentilation System

Plumbing SystemPlumbing System

Terra Luna (close view)Terra Luna (close view)

SourcesSources1. Chat with NASA: http://quest.nasa.gov/lunar/outpostchallenge/chat.html

2. Communication Satellites:http://nasaexplores.nasa.gov/show_58_student_st.php?id=030303165348

3. Conversions: http://www.onlineconversion.com/length_common.htm4. Location: http://www.planetmoon.org/atlas%20barrow.htm5. Mckinney Falls State Park:http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/landwater/water/habitats/rivers/access/traviscol@mckinneyfallsstatepark6. Moon Basics: http://www.seds.org/nineplanets/nineplanets/luna.html7. Picture of Barrow Crater: http://ralphaeschliman.com/luna/lnslamasm.jpg8. Solar Panels: http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast13nov_1.htm9. Turning moon dust into oxygen:http://gsfctechnology.gsfc.nasa.gov/Regolith.html htm