Awards & Nominations
MARS 3D LIVE has received the following awards and nominations. Way to go!
Global Nominee
UPGRADING A MARS HABITAT USING A 3D PRINTER
High-Level Project Summary
The content developed in that project is an integral part of a VR game set in a Martian environment and named MARS GreenHouse VR. This game is in the demo stage and not yet made usable.The developed project aims to manufacture, using the three 3D printers, implemented with the pen3d function, the following key elements:•The rover's replacement wheel, damaged during landing;
Link to Final Project
Link to Project "Demo"
Detailed Project Description
In order to achieve the primary objective, the replacement of the rover's damaged wheel was planned. The latter consists of a metal rim with a series of special recesses that allow the insertion and removal of rubber elements that together constitute the tread. The replacement elements can be easily moulded into plastic using one of three 3D printers. Each element has three holes in order to cushion the roughness of the Martian soil. The wheel thus composed has heels that promote grip on the ground and indicate the rover's direction of travel by imprinting passing footprints on the ground. The rubber elements are moulded in two different colours to allow us to feel the motion of the rover as a result of the rotational movement of the wheel. In addition, worn parts can be reused to supply raw material to the 3D printer.
The use of the hammer is limited to extracting the worn rubber elements and replacing them.
Since Martian regolith is rich in silicates and other minerals, mainly from silicon dioxide and ferric oxide, with a fair amount of aluminium oxide, calcium oxide and sulphur oxide, it was thought to be exploited to produce glassy materials. So, in order to study the possibility of producing glass as an alternative material, a small-scale furnace was designed. The manufacturing material of such a furnace is a metal alloy possessing melting point above 1700°C.
The production of glass will be useful in view of an expansion of the photobioreactor. Such a photobioreactor is intended to allow the growth of photosynthetic microalgae essential for the crew's sustenance. Through absorption of carbon dioxide, which is widely present in Mars' atmosphere, such microorganisms release oxygen producing edible biomass, yielding light radiation.
Furthermore, it has been estimated that, given the productivity achieved and the needs of the astronauts, by exploiting such technology, a culture of about 15 m3 available inside pressurized domes would be sufficient to meet the protein needs of a six-member crew.
Modelling of all components and instruments was conducted using Solid Works 2018 by DASSAULT software.
Space Agency Data
We used the data in the links "Example Resources" - Deep Space Habitability Design Guidelines
https://space.nss.org/wp-content/uploads/1998-Resource-Utilization-And-Site-Selection-For-A-Self-Sufficient-Martian-Outpost.pdf
Hackathon Journey
The first edition of the Cagliari-based Nasa space apps challenge was an inspiring and useful experience in creating multidisciplinary teams with different skills and backgrounds.
The team approached the challenge with a constructive spirit, resulting in productive collaborations in any scientific fields.
We would like to thank the mentors and organizers of the Cagliari event for giving us the opportunity to participate in this world-class event.
Thanks also to the collaborators outside the team, Andrea Vannelli and Valerio Bande for their valuable help from afar.
Tags
#mars #3d #live #vr