High-Level Project Summary
Our project is dedicated to solving the problem of living on Mars and its problematic living conditions. Many problems affect the astronauts and our goal is for them to live for at least a year. We've decided to resolve the two problems, Martian Atmosphere, and Energy for our habitat. For Martian Atmosphere, we've decided to design airlocks to deal with the pressure and make two big tanks, one with Nitrogen and the other with Oxygen. To deal with the energy, we decided to use nuclear power by bringing radioactive materials and a reactor.
Link to Final Project
Link to Project "Demo"
Detailed Project Description
The problem with Martian Atmosphere is that Mars's atmosphere is less than 1% of the standard sea level air pressure of Earth, showing that Martian Atmosphere has a very high pressure compared to Earth. Another problem is Mars's Atmosphere is made up of many dangerous substances, such as Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, and Argon.
We can make habitats that are pressurized to a certain millibar so we can have proper living conditions. In addition to that, it should be filled with an artificial atmosphere, made of more nitrogen and oxygen than the Martian Atmosphere for suitable habitat. To deal with the pressure, airlocks can help this. This can help stabilize the pressure and help with contamination control. Also, the difference in interior and exterior pressure can highly affect corners and flat walls in a bad way, so to fix that we should make our habitat rounded and smooth. To fix the atmospheric gases, we decided to make a base connected to 2 tanks, one with Nitrogen and the other with Oxygen to simulate the atmosphere of our Earth. The Nitrogen and Oxygen will flow into the habitat and will create a safe and breathable place to stay.
Energy is also something we need to think about when living on Mars. Mars has a lack of energy. We can't use the method of using solar power, because of Mars's distance from the Sun (Solar Power is 40% less effective than Earth). Wind Power is useless because of Mars's thin atmosphere, and Geothermal energy is ineffectual because of the freezing temperature, both internal and atmospherical temperature. Hydro-power can only be achieved when next to Martian ice caps, and Biomass is highly inefficient and may take more energy to do than it actually produces.
Nuclear Power is our only option left. Since Mars doesn't have easily accessible radioactive materials, substances, and elements, nuclear fuel needs to come from Earth along with a reactor. With this method, it could give enough and sufficient energy for the Martian base for more than a year. The reactors work because of the heat produced during nuclear fission in the reactor. The heat is used to boil water into steam, which turns the blades of a turbine. As the turbine blades turn, they drive generators which in turn, create electricity and energy.
Space Agency Data
https://mars.nasa.gov/MPF/mpf/realtime/mars2.html#:~:text=At%20an%20altitude%20of%20130%20km%20its%20pressure%20is%20approximately,atmospheric%20pressure%20of%2014.7%20psi.
we used this website to know the pressure of Mars and how high it is compared to Earth
Hackathon Journey
The Space Apps experience was a very good learning experience. We learned a lot of things, such as stuff we need to know to survive on Mars, etc. We developed and enhanced our presenting, modeling, and brainstorming skills throughout this event, and overall, I and my team had a lot of fun.
References
https://mars.nasa.gov/MPF/mpf/realtime/mars2.html#:~:text=At%20an%20altitude%20of%20130%20km%20its%20pressure%20is%20approximately,atmospheric%20pressure%20of%2014.7%20psi.
https://www.theweatherprediction.com/habyhints3/909/#:~:text=Values%20around%201013%20mb%20and,lighter%20wind%20and%20fair%20weather.
https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/nuclear/nuclear-power-plants.php#:~:text=A%20reactor%20core%20contains%20many,drive%20generators%20that%20make%20electricity.
https://streamlineind.com/rotary-airlock-valves-and-how-they-work/
Tags
#mars #livinginmars #airlocks #reactors #nuclearpower #gastanks #martianatmosphere #energy