Task One: Habitat Design
Task One: Habitat Design
Embedded Files
Lesson: Step 1 Information: Earth supplies humans with everything we need to live. But what about when we leave Earth? We currently have research on the International Space Station (ISS) and NASA is preparing to send people to the Moon and Mars in the future. NASA scientists and engineers have found ways to support humans away from Earth. A space suit, a space capsule, and the International Space Station are sealed containers protecting humans in space. These specialized “containers” are designed to provide a habitat that humans need to live in space. But what do humans need to live away from Earth, especially with a three-year round-trip to Mars?
Step 2 To help you think about this problem, you have been asked to design a habitat that is on Mars. You can bring some initial supplies. After that nothing comes into the habitat, and nothing leaves the habitat. For this initial design you can choose how many people you want in your habitat, but there must be at least four. Later you will experiment with different numbers of people. You must design your habitat so that it supplies everything that is needed to keep your team healthy and happy for several years.
There are two additional constraints on the design process.
1. You are designing a habitat to be used on Mars within 25 to 50 years. That means you must research what is know currently known about living in sealed habitats (like the International Space Station).
2. Cost is always a constraint. Although we are not identifying a budget, it is best to keep costs as low as possible. One big cost is the launch of materials from Earth. The current range of costs is $10,000 to $20,000 per kilogram and the Curiosity rover cost as much as $2.78 million per kilogram. So, a huge habitat on Mars might be attractive, but it would be very costly. Scientists will probably work for the smallest mass (in kilograms) habitat that will accomplish the mission
Information from the SIMOC Arizona State Curriculum
Design your habitat
Design your habitat
STEP 1: BRAINSTORM IDEAS
STEP 1: BRAINSTORM IDEAS
Ask teacher for a copy of "Designing a Habitat" student guide.
Biosphere 2 Blueprint
Biosphere 2 Blueprint
SIMOC Lesson Grades 5-8_Revised_5_2020 Student Guide.pdfKEY VOCABULARY
KEY VOCABULARY
Key Vocabulary
Criteria a standard list of “rules” established so judgment or decisions are based on objective and defined ideas rather than
subjective ones.
Data facts, statistics, or information.
Empirical Evidence knowledge gained through direct or indirect observation.
Engineering a field in which humans solve problems that arise from a human need or desire by relying on their knowledge of science,
technology, engineering design, and mathematics (derived from NRC Framework, 2012).
Engineering Constraints limits placed on a project by the budget, hardware, available volume or mass, etc. necessary to accomplish the mission.
Explanations logical descriptions applying scientific information
Models a scientific model is a physical, conceptual, or mathematical representation of a real phenomenon. Models are used to explain and predict the behavior of real phenomena.
Observations specific details recorded to describe an object or phenomenon.
Terrain a stretch of land, especially with regard to its physical features or geology.
Systems a system is an organized group of related objects or components that form a whole. Systems can consist, for example, of
organisms, machines, fundamental particles, galaxies, ideas, and numbers. Systems have boundaries, components, resources, flow, and feedback. (National Science Education Standards)
Sub-System a component of a system that is itself a system.
What is theorized to happen on the first 10,000 days on MARS?
What is theorized to happen on the first 10,000 days on MARS?
We will watch the video below to learn more in class, but you can always refer back to it here when needed. Be sure to take notes.
Questions to consider
Questions to consider
Some of the questions about Mars you should identify are:
a. What are the temperatures like on Mars?
b. What is the terrain like?
c. What kind of atmosphere is there on Mars?
d. Is there water and food on Mars?
e. How to we deal with radiation on Mars?
If you are designing a way to provide air to breathe in the habitat, you might ask
a. What is the composition of air on Earth?
b. How do we maintain the right composition of air on Earth?
c. Could we use some of the same techniques in a closed habitat?
d. Has NASA worked on any designs that could guide us?
If you are designing a way to provide drinkable water, you might ask:
a. How much water does a person need every day?
b. How does Earth provide produce clean water and recycle impure water?
c. Can this be done in a closed habitat?
d. Has NASA designed any systems to provide clean water in a closed habitat?
If you are designing a way to deal with Solar rays and radiation, you may ask:
a. How do they deal with this on the International Space Station?
b. How has Nasa projected astronauts in the past from space radiation?
c. What materials already exist? How long do the last?
Learn how they have been keeping people alive in space on the ISS.
Use the NASA link to explore these questions.
How are Mars and Earth Geologically similar?
How do we determine a location site for our off-world colony?
What physical features does mars have?
What concerns do we have about living on mars?
Use this link to view where the rover is located in real-time and what it has explored. See if you can find a good location for your colony.
Radiation in Space
Radiation in Space
Radiation and Mars Use this link to learn more and problem solve.
Current Architecture and Design Test Ideas
Current Architecture and Design Test Ideas
Inside Biosphere 2
Inside Biosphere 2
Deliverable 2: Design a 2D layout of your Mars Colony
Deliverable 2: Design a 2D layout of your Mars Colony
Deliverable due Friday, April 8th, 2022
Use knowledge from math and science class along with these materials to create a layout for your Mars colony. You will need graph paper, scrap paper, geometrical shapes, tape, rulers, a compass, and a pencil
How are you going to layout your colony?
Think of the location, space available, cost of size of habitat and different sections needed to support humans.
Click here to learn more about
Challenger Center Explorations
Challenger Center Explorations
Page updated
Report abuse