Difference between revisions of "Outpost"

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[[Category:Modular pieces of equipment]]
 
[[Category:Modular pieces of equipment]]
  
Related Link:
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==Special Interior Considerations==
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By: [[User:thehawk|Robert Hawk]]
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Humans are diurnal creatures, meaning we thrive off of daylight cycles.  At the equator of the moon, the moon experiences ~14 Earth Days of "Day" and ~14 Earth Days of "Night."  This can lead to many problems with sleep, stress, and even depression.  Even at the proposed base site on the Moon's south pole, we would experience mostly sunlight.  While this is good for producing power for the base, so much constant sunlight can be a problem.  This is solved largely by placing the base underground, thus giving us the option to control how much light the crew is receiving on a daily basis.  Since we need to emulate the sun as nearly as possible, we should implement full-spectrum lighting (actual, florescent full-spectrum lights, not the cheap incandescent knock-offs).  Lamps such as those available from the Light Energy Co. (for example) have the advantage of using less power, providing more light, and lasting several years at normal use (in contrast to months for an average incandescent light.)  Thus, while the initial investment may be greater (but not by much) than incandescent or fluorescent lighting, it pays for itself in the long run not only in cash, but also in crew morale and mental and physical health.  See link below for more info.
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Related Links:
  
 
[http://www.4solarpanels.com '''Solar power systems''']
 
[http://www.4solarpanels.com '''Solar power systems''']
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[http://www.lightenergycompany.com/lightenergy/fullspectrum.cfm?custID=22644518 '''Full Spectrum Lights''']

Revision as of 01:07, 19 April 2010

What it might look like in use, from the outside.

Current thinking is a small/inflatable buried structure with absolute minimal facilities. An inflatable 4 metre diameter tube roughly 6 metre long, laying on its side, buried 2-3 meters, with 2-3 meters of regolith overburden. Say 6-10 bunks on a wall, a couple desks, a RV style shower/head and a small sink. Maybe if we are really lucky a place to heat food. (all inflatable furnature/barriers, filled with varying densities and consistencies of spray foam) There will probably be three airlocks, one outer lock leading to a suit room, a second lock between the suit room and the living quarters as a dust mitigation lock, and a third as an emergency exit. There will be a limited amount of water recycling, and until we get the in-situ resource manufacturing down, most supplies will need to be brought it. Of course power will be supplied by solar panels over the overburden, (A little more protection) and perhaps as a sun shade over some of the external equipment. Power storage for overnight is still in the 'air'. (Sorry) Depending on the location though. (see


Click on thumbnails below for two sized illustrations suitable for computer desktop bitmaps, one is 4x3 aspect ratio, the other is 16x9 wide screen.


An idea to reduce the volume of the payload

By: Len

By filling the inflatable items on the mission with expanding foam (it comes in various densities) things such as the sleeping cubes, the tables and chairs, and room dividers are all items that can be collapsed to a fraction of the volume of standard items. Since the expanding foam generates CO2 it will self inflate the object.

The foam comes in several different densities - ranging from styrofoam to rock. Filling inflatables with foam will have the benefit of adding rigidity to the item.

This assumes that the foam will expand normally in a vacuum at lunar gravity levels and it should be noted that the foam is temperature sensitive during expansion - extensive testing would be required.

This is another off of the shelf solution available to the mission.

A revised proposed floor plan showing emergency escape tube
A proposed floor plan
A proposed minimalist initial habitation

Special Interior Considerations

By: Robert Hawk

Humans are diurnal creatures, meaning we thrive off of daylight cycles. At the equator of the moon, the moon experiences ~14 Earth Days of "Day" and ~14 Earth Days of "Night." This can lead to many problems with sleep, stress, and even depression. Even at the proposed base site on the Moon's south pole, we would experience mostly sunlight. While this is good for producing power for the base, so much constant sunlight can be a problem. This is solved largely by placing the base underground, thus giving us the option to control how much light the crew is receiving on a daily basis. Since we need to emulate the sun as nearly as possible, we should implement full-spectrum lighting (actual, florescent full-spectrum lights, not the cheap incandescent knock-offs). Lamps such as those available from the Light Energy Co. (for example) have the advantage of using less power, providing more light, and lasting several years at normal use (in contrast to months for an average incandescent light.) Thus, while the initial investment may be greater (but not by much) than incandescent or fluorescent lighting, it pays for itself in the long run not only in cash, but also in crew morale and mental and physical health. See link below for more info.

Related Links:

Solar power systems Full Spectrum Lights

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