Part 2 - ENVISIONING THE MOON VILLAGE – Space Architecture Design Studio SS2018

SUNDIAL

CREW three to four astronauts

MISSION LENGTH 28 days, up to three months

MISSION OBJECTIVE scientific research robotic operation research

LOCATION South Pole Aitkin Basin and cold traps on South Pole

CONSTRUCT I ON aluminium frame covered with protective materials

THE H ABITAT THAT FOLLOWS THE SUN

Project by Günes Aydar | Emirhan Veyseloglu | Gözde Yilmaz

The Sundial Explorer is a mobile habitat, which is designed to perform early scientific research on the lunar surface. According to NASA papers, those lunar missions require human fieldwork. The Sundial Explorer shall make EVA missions with astronauts and the mapping of the lunar surface easier and safer.

Prior to concept development, the following mission goals were determined:

The first goal was to optimise the design for safe and efficient scientific research. While the Sundial Explorer follows a dedicated path, small autonomous rovers can be released for sample collection. The habitat includes a laboratory, in which collected samples can be researched further. The Sundial Explorer also has suitports, providing space suits for every astronaut.

The second goal was to optimise the use of energy and resources. The rover is designed to be self-sufficient while travelling. The Sundial Explorer is a mobile infrastucture. It will move between outposts to get life supporting resources for itself and also transport resources (e.g. water) from one outpost to another.

The third concept idea was the aim to constantly stay in sunlight in order to gather energy. In addition, the thermal tension on materials of the habitat can be reduced, which extends the operational time of the habitat.

Main Concept Ideas

SCOUTS

EXPLORATION ON LUNAR SURFACE

NOMADS

MOBILITY AS INFRASTRUCTURE

SUNDIAL CONSTANT

Choosing Locations & Creating the Path

SPA BASIN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

1. The first intention was to create a circular path, which would lay between the South Pole and the equatorial regions. But this would have prevented research on equatorial regions.

ELLIPTICAL PATH

MALAPERT M. WATER GATHERING

3. The Sundial Explorer will start with an elliptical path around the South Pole Aitkin Basin and Malapert Mountain, as they are seen as optimal locations for scientific research and water gathering.

2. By creating an elliptical path that extends to the equatorial regions, research on equatorial regions is enabled. Furthermore, water for life support can be extracted from the Malapert Mountain.

4. By rotating the elliptical path for further scientific research on different areas around the South Pole (water gathering station on Malapert Mountain), a pattern of a lotus flower is created. This way, a large area of the lunar surface is researched while staying in constant sunlight.

MALAPERT M. WATER GATHERING

What is the Travel Speed?

A basic simulation on the optimal speed has been conducted, which resulted in a maximum of 10 km/h. This includes a spare time of five days that can be spent on additional EVA or maintenance missions.

Main Design Features of the Skeletal Shell

SOLAR PANELS

At least 30 m2 of solar panels ensure that the habitat will have sufficient energy. A 200 kWh power storage is installed for an 48 hour emergency or in case the habitat crosses to the dark side. The surface of panels can be configured and rotated into the direction of the sun to get sunlight in 90 degrees.

RADIATORS

Radiators underneath the solar panels prevent the solar panels to overheat and are also responsible for cooling of the habitat.

STRUCTURAL SKELETON

The skeleton works as the carrier of all infrastructural elements, including the mobility and solar energy system. The skeleton is made of aluminium trusses, with a thickness of 40 cm (at least 28 cm)

LIVING MODULE

Dimensions: 8,14x4,58x3,67 m

The hatch door has a big glass panel in order to give the crew the opportunity to observe the lunar surface and space.

ENGINE FORCE

The habitat is able to travel up to 15 km/h. A vehicle of 15 tons must have at least an engine with 1,75 horsepowers to ensure its mobilisation. Emergency situations in mind, every engine (8 seperate engines, one for every wheel) will have 1 horsepower (in total 8 HPs)

SUSPENSIONS & ROTATION

The suspension system is inspired by the Rocker Boogie suspension system of the Curiosity Rover. The Rocker Boogie system has been adapted to reduce the tension load on the skeleton.

Assembly on the Lunar Surface

Life Support System

WATER FROM COLD TRAPS

The water obtained by the outpost on Malapert Mountain will be transfered to the Sundial Explorer every 28 days.

WATER TANK

Water for crew: 1197 kg Water for electrolysis: 445 kg 80% recycling potential, tank must hold 1110 kg

CREW (28 days Report)

Oxygen consumption: 210 kg

Water consumption: 1197 kg

Nitrogen need: 210 kg

CO2 Scrub Tank 530 kg Grey Water

performed by solar energy

RECYCLING

The grey hygiene water, urine, respiration steam from the crew and waste water from fuel cells of rovers are recycled. Recycling efficiency is 80%.

HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS FOR ROVERS

The hydrogen and oxygen, which are produced by electrolysis, will be delivered to the rovers, to be used in fuel cells, which are more efficient than batteries. Fuel cells produce water as a waste product, which can be used further.

H2O Tank

exchangable seperator

lighting foldable screens

food storage

cooking equipment

folding chair

hydraulic table

lighting

lab equipment storage

experiment racks

water tank

life support system racks

folding chair

soft ceiling

personal item storage

lighting

aluminium

composite panel

toiletries storage

algae bags personal item storage lightning hygiene products storage

urine recovery

projector

curtain

hydro farm experiment

spare space suits

lab equipment storage tools panel

experiment racks

suit ports

tool box entry

exchangable rack system

CO2 N2 H2 tanks

H cell charge glove box entry

Details

D1

Formation of Ramp Departure of Rovers

D2

The Window Sleeping Quarters

D3

The Protective Shell Around the Living Module

pyramid textured blanket aluminum bumper 0,2 mm

kevlar composite 0.64 cm nextel fabric 0,3 cm spacer 0,5 cm MLI 0,5 cm

ALU pressure shell 0,2 mm polyethylene 15 cm ALU inner shell 0.1 mm

Aluminium Composite Panel

Comments by David Nixon

+ Compact and well-planned habitat accommodation.

+ Clever chassis unfolding methodology.

+ Good life support system approach (though harvesting water from lunar cold traps presents another set of difficulties).

- Hexagonal cross-section of habitat is not ideal for efficient pressure containment and would incur a weight penalty.

Comments by Miriam Dall‘Igna

+ Great and sustainable idea.

+ Clear diagrams help to understand the concept. Open questions: If the solar panels adjust to capture the best sun angles, how could the design enable that? How does the habitat connect to the chassis? It would be interesting to explore some design ideas.

Mooncampus

Astro-ScientistTrainingcenter

Project by Baris Dogan | Iuliia Oblitcova

CREW between 6 to 20 AstroScientist in two phases

MISSION LENGTH phase 1 : 30 days phase 2 : 60 days

MISSION OBJECTIVE astronaut training for deep space exploration

LOCATION South Pole, Shackleton Crater

CONSTRUCT I ON in-situ built dome, concrete-like structure made from regolith

MoonCampus is the first astronaut training center on the lunar surface. The concept of the Moon Campus is to train highly professional specialists to become “Astro-Scientists” - astronauts and scientists at the same time, able to perform complicated EVA missions, perform advanced research in the conditions of reduced gravity and other surface operations. The goal is to learn new skills, to retrain skills learned before in the real lunar environment and to prepare to go for further deep space exploration in the future.

The surface part of the MoonCampus is placed under a dome to protect Astro-Scientists in training from radiation and meteorites. The campus itself consists of training and workshop areas, living areas, sport facilities and VR training areas for learning new skills. Living together in the provided spacial conditions is considered to be part of the training as well. The open design of the MoonCampus allows every future Astro-Scientist to have access to maintenance and life support systems, in order to be able to control complex lunar bases themselves after the training. In general, a maximum of seven people will begin training to be able to perform simultaneous surface and research missions with three to four trainers supporting them.

Location

It is very important to use the energy resources provided on the Moon and in space, especially exploiting the maximum of sunlight and solar energy. This and other benefits led to the decision to start the journey at the South Pole near Shackelton Crater.

2041

Sprout

Connecting with new infrastructure

Continuing expansion

Gaining new sources

2051

Tree

Growing into a Moon Village

Looking into deep space

Fruits

Using the gained knowledge

Producing and storing

Setting new goals

Preparing to go further

To infinity and beyond

Crew Capsules

Surface Training Pit 1

Sulfite Dome Protection against micro meteorites, radiation shielding

Opening in the dome for EVA missions

Surface Training Pit 2

Fireman´s

Lounge

View Point Workshops

Hygiene / Kitchen / Dining

Lounge

Workshop Areas / Med Capsule

3D Printing / Scientific

Gloves

Arrival

The first modules are transported from Earth to the crater rim. Robots/ excavators/machines and food supplies are delivered from Earth.

Placement

They are placed underground to protect them from radiation. Connection to the surface and to the crater bottom is organised.

Expansion

The modules are assembled on the Moon and are ready to expand to the surface, while the usage of regolith as a raw material is researched.

Surface Level

EVA missions

Control tower

ENVISIONING THE MOON VILLAGE

Level 3

Crew capsules

C/P areas

Gym

Capacity: 6

Level 4

Guest capsules

C/P areas

VR area

Capacity: 8

MOON VILLAGE

Surface Level // EVA Missions

Rover rides on the uneven terrain

Robot manipulation on the surface

Cleaning dust from solar panels, suits, rovers, robots

Portable greenhouse observation

EVA suit walking training

-1 Level // Meeting

Trainees / Crew / Visitors

Maintaince

Outside Skin Concept

Carbon Panels

Aluminized polyimide

Multi Layer Insulation

Graphite-fiber reinforced epoxy

Sintered Regolith

-2 Level // Workshops

Repairing robots / drones / system

LSS maintenance

Medical operations

Scientific training

3D Printing in low gravity conditions

Geological test training

-4 Level // VR training

Learning new skills in VR

Practising learned skills in VR

Comments by David Nixon

+ Sensible adjacencies organization.

+ Accommodation areas providing both communal and private facilities.

+ Architecturally interesting multilevel accommodation approach.

- Excavating those underground volumes would be a major challenge and assumes the subsurface geology is soft enough for Earth-style mechanical diggers.

Comments by Miriam Dall‘Igna

+ Great architectural programme.

+ Clear diagrams and graphics help to understand the ideas.

Open questions: Considering energy, how much electricity would be necessary to maintain the campus facilities? What is the strategy to bring in or simulate natural light? In terms of modularity and resilience, it would be interesting to detail how parts of the structure can be replaced.

CREW first base for two astronauts research base for six astronauts

MISSION LENGTH minimum six months maximum theoretically indefinite

MISSION OBJECTIVE research of the crater’s natural resources using the crater from top to bottom

LOCATION Philolaos Crater, North Pole

CONSTRUCT I ON regolith sintering and on-site additive manufacturing to adapt the existing lava tubes

Project by Theresa Brock | Mohammad Elzahaby | Sabrina Kerber

Summary

The crater research facility ‘Kraterhausen’ is located in a crater near the North Pole. Here, a lot of natural resources can be found – including ice water in the lava tubes at the bottom and eternal sunlight at the crater rim. A mixed team of humans and robotics research the possible uses of those resources. The research base is located in the natural lava tubes in the crater wall, so that the rock provides constant shelter from radiation and extreme temperature.

On the rim, the first habitation and surface base is located. Farther down, still in the sunlight zone, lies the research and human habitation base. Here, existing caves are made habitable by 3D printing layers of solid rego lith to maintain the pressure inside the base. A coating of silicon sintering separates the regolith layer from the habitation areas.

Farther down lies a second, mainly robotic, research base, where bigger scaled projects are manufactured.

At the bottom, ice water is harvested from the lava tubes and transported to the upper research bases via funicular rovers. Here, it is filtered and converted to drinkable water and oxygen. Using a whole slice of the crater wall, the crater’s resources are researched from top to bottom. The infrastructural route, which connects the various bases, is depressurised and requires the use of rovers or spacesuits.

Overview - Crater Bases

lunar lander/first habitation/surface base

top to bottom and inside out direction of construction, due to rubble and bed rock

habitation and research base

peak of eternal light permanently shadowed

robotic base

lava tubes with ice resources

EXPLORATION ROBOTIC CONSTRUCTION HUMAN CONSTRUCTION

Robotic exploration of the chosen crater area and existing lava tubes to analyse the site situation and adapt the plan. This helps avoid planning and sending bigger missions before suitable lava tubes are found.

Start of construction by a purely robotic workforce: adaption of the caves through drilling and additive manufacturing as well as preparation of the site for the first human habitat.

HABITATED RESEARCH

FUTURE ASPECTS

Completion of the habitation area and research facilities by a small human workforce in cooperation with robotics.

Habitated crater research by an extended team of humans and robotics with a top-tobottom utilisation of the crater face.

Possible expansion to different nations and projects as cooperation with the crater research as funded base for peaceful and ecoconscious co-existing in the crater.

Step

lunar lander engine, storage

docking hatch for tunnel connection

layered inflatable:

flame resistant nomex 3

pressure bladders (kevlar) 15

vectran 3

thermal protection (mylar) 15

meteorite-safe kevlar 15

possible rover docking

Step 2: Inflatable habitat for first habitation phase during human construction 139m² (23m²/ P)

Step 3: Early habitat turns into surface base --> connected to tunnels, permanent use of lunar lander and inflatable

1: Lunar lander lands on crater rim with 2-man-crew

connection of inflatable habitat to crater base

transportation to underground bases via funicular rover

For human exploration of the unpressurised zones, lunar rovers (concept based on NASA‘s Desert Rats) are docked at the airlocks.

An athlete type rover (concept based on JPL‘s Desert Rats) is used to transport material through the tunnels. This six-legged robotic vehicle can be used for multiple purposes in uneven territory.

female/male adapters

polyethelene gloves

handling compartment needle velve gas/vacuum outlet/inlet

transfer compartment

pressure vessles

joystick

hand hold

entry hatch

suitport interface receptable portable life support system

hatch cover supports

Phase IV - Habitation Level | 71 m²

The main area of ‘Kraterhausen’, the habitable base, is split into two levels – a habitation level and the research level. Those two levels are connected through a two-story chamber, containing a greenhouse, which acts as a spatial buffer zone between work and leisure time and provides fresh vegetables but also has great psychological value.

The elevation difference can be overcome either by using the lunar stairs or the climbing wall, which acts as an exercise motivation in 1/6 g.

Section B

The research level accommodates various robotic machines, a filtration station and a large 3D printer. Here, the crater material is researched and processed.

In order to limit the payloads brought up from Earth, additive manufacturing is used. The main inner structure of sleeping accommodations, hygiene units, storage and food preparation are 3D printed on site.

Comments by David Nixon

+ Efficient combination of a lunar lander with an inflatable habitat in Phase III.

+ Novel approach to the use of crater sides for facilities siting.

+ Fascinating interior ‘cave’ architecture formed from lava tubes.

- Penetrating steep crater sides might result in rock falls.

- Ability of sintered tubes to function for pressure containment is optimistic and internal bladder linings would be wise.

Comments by Miriam Dall‘Igna

+ Great spatial arrangement.

+ Diagrams and drawings are clear and consider user routines and flows.

Open questions: Concerning toxicity, would pressurised areas need special wall treatment? Consider light strategy on deep crater area.