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Lunar Research Station Design Challenge
The Analog Moon Research Station
We have chosen to place our Analog Moon Research Station in a circular play space on the playground at the Lt. Job Lane School. We have chosen this site because it is big - approximately 1800 square feet- and closely resembles a crater on the Moon. The ground is paved with cement, and there are no plants growing on it. It is without any kind of life on it
Since there is no atmosphere on the moon, we could release a small Hydrogen bomb into the crater where we are interested in building the station. Our station would be built about 1500 feet underground, so that any meteors would not damage the station if they hit. The station would be an underground rectangular cavern. It would measure approximately 180 feet by 50 feet. (See picture). The foundation would be sturdy and made from iron and titanium that will be mined from the surface of the moon. We would need to make sure that the foundation and building was strong enough so that the dirt and dust would not cave in around the station. We would build a dome above the crater space and create an atmosphere to protect the part of the base that is above ground from radiation and asteroids. We would cover the dome part with regolith. We would create a shaft (or several shafts) which were outfitted with mirrors to reflect the light from the surface of the moon to the plants below.
We know people living on the moon would need: oxygen, food, water, living quarters, power, heat, communication devices, and vehicles.
To provide oxygen, we would use a LOX (Liquid Oxygen) transformer to convert the oxygen from inside moon rocks. They we would put the LOX through a dryer and a purifier to get more oxygen. We would use that oxygen for the base and run it through an alkaline fuel cell to provide water, power and heat. We would try to transport ice from the poles to the research station.
To provide food, we would grow potatoes, soybeans and wheat in hydroponics system which uses moon dust as the dirt. Soybeans can make lots of different foods including many dairy products like milk and yogurt, but without the dairy. Wheat makes bread, wheat beer and other foods.
To provide protection, we would definitely build our station underground. We would use missile launchers and a FET (Fuel Effect Transistor) to protect against meteors. We’d use a SAM (Surface to Air Missile) that would launch an SA-7 to turn meteors into debris, and use the FET to make a shield against both solar radiation and meteors. We’d use an alkaline fuel cell to provide heat or air conditioning to the Moon Base. To protect ourselves from the heat, we would mist the rooms and use a dehumidifier to take out the humidity.
To provide transportation, we would build Moon Buggies. These would have shock absorbers and a vacuum system so it could around the moon. The buggies would have very good traction to keep them on the ground. Eventually, we would also build a type of airplane that runs on LOX.
For communication, we would use Walkie-Talkies and a communications device with a pad that looks like a phone. It hooks onto your pants. You call the other person’s phone, and they talk to you from the speaker attached to their ear.
These are our plans so far.
NASA Official: Mark León
Last Updated: May 2005
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