About a Problem Statement

This subgroup of our project is about the creation of a problem statement and the justification of our ideas. A problem statement is an explanation of a problem in detail. It includes what needs to be solved, who needs this problem solved, and detail about why it is a problem. Once a problem statement is made it needs to be justified. This means that there has to be resources on why it's a problem and the current solutions to the problem. Once the problem has been justified the next step is to research the current market for any alternative products with the same function. This can be current products in use, and or products that are related but not designed for the situations. Surveys can be taken to take data on the market and the need for the product.

A2.0 Developing a Problem Statement

Research Problem Statement -

NASA is in the process of creating a lunar habitat on the Moon. In this habitat a team of four astronauts will stay for two months. To help with walking the astronauts will need special shoes that create greater friction with the ground. Since gravity on the Moon is 1/6th of the gravity on Earth, there is a lower maximum static friction. This means that it will take a lot more force to generate the amount of friction that we see on Earth. The problem is that astronauts can only put so much force into their step, so that means the shoes they wear must be able to make up the difference in friction. On earth we are able to get by with around a 0.5µ coefficient of friction for non-slip shoes, but on the Moon the friction of the shoes must be higher, around 3.0µ, to make up for the lower gravity. The lower gravity also causes astronauts to have to change their stride, sometimes taking shorter steps rather than long strides like on Earth to stay upright when walking. This stride change is important because when walking on the Moon you have much more momentum. So these shoes would increase the amount of friction generated between the floor and the shoe in order to prevent falling over or losing balance. These shoes also need to limit the amount of static electricity. Since on the Moon there is almost no atmosphere there are less water molecules in the air to diminish the electrons generated from walking. On Earth the amount of static electricity changes depending on what your walking on and what the environmental conditions are but on average each shoe will generate 10 watts (Science Daily, 2016) and while most of this is turned into heat It's important to limit static electricity generated to prevent sparks since they might cause dust to stick to equipment and also act as an ignition source.

Business Problem Statement

NASA needs a high friction shoe to make walking on the moon easier and safer for astronauts in a lunar habit. Since the low gravity makes walking difficult and dangerous.

Sources (APA)

Admin. (2021, March 25). What is static friction? - definition, examples, laws of static friction. BYJUS. https://byjus.com/physics/static-friction/.

Anupam MAnupam M is a Graduate Engineer (Electronics & Communication Engineering. (2021, May 2). How friction helps in walking, role of friction in walking - physicsteacher. PhysicsTeacher.in. https://physicsteacher.in/2017/08/08/friction-helps-walking-vector-fbd/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CIf%20Friction%20is%20a%20force,on%20our%20foot%20or%20shoes.&text=This%20is%20how%20friction%20helps%20walking%2C%20in%20simple%20words.

Hunch, N. (2021). Lunar Habitat Shoes. NASA Hunch http://www.hunchdesign.com/uploads/2/2/0/9/22093000/lunar_habitat_shoes.pdf.

NASA. (2020, September). NASA’s Lunar Exploration Program Overview. nasa.gov. https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/artemis_plan-20200921.pdf.

University of Southern Maine. "Does the Moon have gravity?" | Planetarium | University of Southern Maine. (n.d.). https://usm.maine.edu/planet/does-moon-have-gravity.

Bellisle, R. (2020, March 31). Moonwalking - human locomotion on the Moon · mit space exploration initiative outreach. MIT Space Exploration Initiative Outreach. https://sei-engagement.pubpub.org/pub/nmjeoom7/release/8#:~:text=Astronauts%20can%20%E2%80%9Clope%E2%80%9D%20in%20the,efficient%20locomotion%20method%20on%20Earth.

ScienceDaily. (2016, February 11). Power walk: Footsteps could charge mobile electronics. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 6, 2021, from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/02/160211090238.htm.

A3.0 Justifying a Problem Statement

The problem of walking on the moon is a well documented problem with no clear cut and agreed on solution. Because of the low gravity, momentum carries further and stronger than the gravity on earth. This causes normal walking to be useless and impossible. The current method for getting around on the moon is a walking/leap mix where the astronauts will walk and then jump to keep from falling forward too fast. This shows a serious problem for any future lunar habitats that NASA has in plan. If astronauts living on the moon are forced to walk in this way it can severely hinder work and progress, it makes lifting heavy items dangerous and reduces the amount of control astronauts have with directional control and balance. This makes it essential to design a type of shoe specially made for walking on the moon to accommodate the gravity and allow for the walking differences from earth. Designing these shoes will make a huge change in the work astronauts can do and the amount of work they can complete in certain time frames. It will also help astronauts with safety, having more control over your movement especially in a forgien gravity and environment is essential to securing the safety of the astronauts when they are so far away from any emergency care.

Sources (APA)

Robert, J. F. (n.d.). WALKING RESPONSES UNDER LUNAR AND LOW GRAVITY CONDITIONS. Defense Technical Information Center. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD0426837.pdf

This source describes the difficulties with walking on the moon or a low gravity environment. It goes into detail about how friction and traction can help the problem. This source explains the real threat of falling while in low gravity. It then goes over the reasons behind it and some studies that have been done on the field.

Boyle, R. (2014, September 11). Low gravity makes astronauts prone to falling over. New Scientist. Retrieved September 15, 2021, from https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn26192-low-gravity-makes-astronauts-prone-to-falling-over/?ignored=irrelevant.

Astronauts on the Apollo missions would often lose their balance and fall because the lower gravity made it difficult to tell which way is up and which is down. In a study where people were spun around to simulate low gravity to see if they thought a p was a p or d whether they thought which way was up or down. The study showed that people need 15% of the Earth’s gravity to distinguish between up and down. The Moon has 17% the Earth’s gravity, making it difficult but doable to determine up or down.

Low gravity makes it difficult for people to get up once they have fallen. This means that astronauts need something that can help prevent them from falling.

Walking on the moon. (2001, January 13). New Scientist, 169(2273), 41. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A70881239/GPS?u=glen20233&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=5de7fc5d

This article talks about how it is impossible to walk on the moon due to the low gravity. This causes a pendulum effect to occur. This means that the weight from walking will swing your body, this is normal and controlled with earth's gravity. But with the moon's lower gravity the force of walking normally would be too much and would make you fall. This can be contacted by changing your walking gait, in this case on the moon astronauts made leaps and jumps instead of steps because it would be too difficult to do otherwise.

DONELAN, M. A. X. W. E. L. L. J., & KRAM, R. O. D. G. E. R. (1997, October 1). THE EFFECT OF REDUCED GRAVITY ON THE KINEMATICS OF HUMAN WALKING: A TEST OF THE DYNAMIC SIMILARITY HYPOTHESIS FOR LOCOMOTION. Retrieved September 15, 2021, from https://cob.silverchair-cdn.com/cob/content_public/journal/jeb/200/24/10.1242_jeb.200.24.3193/1/3193.pdf?Expires=1634589205&Signature=ZV8py4Jxhd-LCCT5mEE2iYgOwNXI3ZwSgvv-ppw1pxjs1zXsDmHz96X7f5UK84YqiSstjBf7nsNimh01yp0e0tbXVOecsDBnVkjjAhDNXJ3zdy5NKdcdM1hpPmZsBvBDKqJPmcDD0tU~VNIHNnBNDYvJ5WH6YLM5LPOQfhWgjkN6hgRtF4fEAePpIPWIEhPw94SrI4-c4eIXkfaxb11~JSneg9OJ4aMqOrlUjOwUMObNM--7J15KVMiRMCTKv~s8drbATzpkKkaz42BMV4R48~~rYdOE0my8sctNK7ECJbqtU6~3zxS1UKKna8-F6k74h1-LdfE0SK3q0EcD78vI8g__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIE5G5CRDK6RD3PGA.

This study takes an in depth look into walking in a low gravity environment. The study used low gravity harnesses to simulate low gravity effects on a walking person. They then used this set up to study how the human body reacted and changed its walking patterns when in lower gravity, taking shorter strides. They also discussed the metabolic rate for walking on the earth compared to the moon, since walking on the moon requires less effort and consumes less energy. One of the main findings was that when under decreased gravity people took shorter strides to stay stable when walking in a normal fashion.

Bellisle, R. (2020, March 31). Moonwalking - human locomotion on the Moon · mit space exploration initiative outreach. MIT Space Exploration Initiative Outreach. Retrieved September 15, 2021, from https://sei-engagement.pubpub.org/pub/nmjeoom7/release/8#:~:text=Astronauts%20can%20%E2%80%9Clope%E2%80%9D%20in%20the,efficient%20locomotion%20method%20on%20Earth.

This source discusses gait patterns of walking and how these patterns of walking change when you are walking on the moon due to the lower gravity. It also discusses the mobility challenges of walking on the moon in a full space suit due to the multiple layers, pressure difference and weight of the suit.

Cain, F. (2015, December 25). Gravity on the moon. Universe Today. https://www.universetoday.com/19710/gravity-on-the-moon/.

This source talks about the lower gravity on the moon. It discusses the importance of the difference of gravity than that on earth and compares different activities in lunar and earth gravity. On the Moon a person would experience 17% of the force of gravity on Earth, this makes you able to jump higher, fall from higher places, and throw farther. This change in gravity made the astronauts on the Apollo mission have to figure out how to walk on the Moon and as a result they hoped. The gravity on the moon is so low that if someone could attach wings to their arms they could fly. Gravity on the Moon is lower than it is here on Earth. This has made walking on the moon more difficult than walking on Earth.

Lacquaniti, F., Ivanenko, Y. P., Sylos-Labini, F., La Scaleia, V., La Scaleia, B., Willems, P. A., & Zago, M. (1AD, January 1). Human locomotion in hypogravity: From basic research to clinical applications. Frontiers. Retrieved September 15, 2021, from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2017.00893/full.

This source delves into the health complications of being in space and how muscle and bone structure degrades over time when in space. This source talked about returning astronauts having difficulties with mobility, bone density and muscle strength. It talks about what astronauts have to do to remain fit and keep their bodies from degrading.

Anupam MAnupam M is a Graduate Engineer (Electronics & Communication Engineering. (2021, May 2). How friction helps in walking, role of friction in walking - physicsteacher. PhysicsTeacher.in. https://physicsteacher.in/2017/08/08/friction-helps-walking-vector-fbd/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CIf%20Friction%20is%20a%20force,on%20our%20foot%20or%20shoes.&text=This%20is%20how%20friction%20helps%20walking%2C%20in%20simple%20words.

Friction is a force that opposes motion, yet it is necessary for us to walk by preventing slipping. When a force is applied on a surface, that surface applies an equal force against you. When you walk you use your weight to push against the floor. The opposite force to this is friction. Many times friction can be detrimental, but while walking it is. There are two types of friction, static friction prevents stationary objects from moving, the max of which is the maximum force needed to get something to start moving, and kinetic friction is a force acting against a moving object in the opposite direction of motion. Friction helps us walk by providing a force to push against. The force of friction allows us to walk by giving someone walking a force to push against. Friction is determined by the normal force which is the opposite force to gravity on you. Since gravity on the Moon is lower than on earth there is less friction to push against.

Admin. (2021, March 25). What is static friction? - definition, examples, laws of static friction. BYJUS. https://byjus.com/physics/static-friction/.

Static friction is a force that prevents an object from slipping. The force of static friction is equal to the force applied on an object. The maximum force of static friction is not dependent on the area, but is dependent on the normal force which is opposite to gravity. When a force exceeds the maximum force of static friction it begins to slip. Limiting friction is the maximum force of static friction. Limiting friction is opposite to applied force, it is tangent to the surface the object is on, and is dependent on the surfaces of the object and what it is sliding on. When you step you apply a force on your foot against the floor, it applies friction on your foot to prevent you from slipping. The maximum static friction is determined by the normal force of you standing which is opposite to gravity. Since gravity on the Moon is lower than gravity of earth, the maximum static friction is lower. Since the maximum static friction is lower, you are more likely to slip when you push against the floor to walk.

Understanding the Data

Analysis of the results

Our survey gave us a lot of data on the demand for high friction shoes. Most of our responses showed that there wasn't a high demand for a high friction shoe in low friction environments. Our survey did show that when people enter a low friction environment people take shorter strides and will be careful when walking. We also found new scenarios where a high friction shoe could be used, this included, walking on ice during the winter, walking on wet flooring, and high incline surfaces. We never considered high incline surfaces as a possible environment for high friction shoes. Our survey also showed us that people want soles in their shoes to add comfort and stability.

Our Survey

Existing Similar Products

• Cold weather boots

  • Cold weather boots are boots that are meant to keep people’s feet warm in cold environments and to prevent slipping on frozen surfaces

  • Since these shoes are primarily designed for warmth, it has a lot of thick padding which makes the shoes rigid and difficult to compress down for storage. The thick padding also makes the shoes have a small size range for a boot, making many too big or too small.

• Running shoes

  • Running shoes are shoes that are meant to absorb the shock of running and to provide good traction to prevent slipping while running.

  • Running shoes are designed to absorb the shock of you running. However some shock is necessary since it strengthens the bone. Since there is lower gravity on the Moon, the bone experiences less stress from the force of your weight, therefore shoes on the Moon cannot have good shock absorption to prevent weakened bones.

Evaluating the competition

Users and Buyers

• Lunar habitat residents - user

  • Residents in a lunar habitat would need high friction shoes to be able walk in lower gravity without slipping

• NASA - buyer

  • NASA would provide lunar habitat residents with shoes for the habitat

• Hikers - user and buyer

  • People who hike need high friction shoes to avoid slipping while hiking.

• People working or living frozen environments - user

  • People who work or live in frozen environments need high friction shoes since ice can make the ground slippery

The Market

• Astronauts/lunar habitat residents

  • 30’s, physically fit

  • On the Moon there is 1/6th the gravity on Earth. This low gravity makes your body have to work less and weakens your muscles, bones, and heart. On the ISS, which has even less gravity than the moon, astronauts must spend 2 hours exercising a day. These hard conditions mean that people living in lunar habitats must be physically fit.

Justification

There are many different examples of shoes that are designed to increase friction. However these shoes are not designed for conditions in space. Cold weather boots are designed to be bulky and tough to insulate your feet from the cold and protect your feet from rocks and other heavy objects. Running shoes have great shock absorption, however on the Moon there is less shock on your bones due to lower gravity. Since the bones are experiencing less shock, they aren’t being exercised and will grow weaker, meaning that you do not want shock absorption on the moon. All this means that we need to design a shoe that it weighed to give astronauts a ‘workout’ to prevent muscle atrophy and bone weakness, along with a high friction material and the ability to be vacuum sealed without harming the shoe. The market has a few options that could work with some changes but there is no specially made market shoe for a lunar habitat.

Sources APA

Agency, C. S. (2019, May 16). Physical activity in space. Canadian Space Agency. https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/astronauts/living-in-space/physical-activity-in-space.asp#:~:text=Exercise%20is%20therefore%20a%20crucial,approximately%20two%20hours%20per%20day!

Andersen, J. J. (2021, September 1). 10 best Brooks running shoes IN 2021: 50+ Shoes tested. Athletic shoe reviews. https://runrepeat.com/guides/best-brooks-running-shoes.

Axel, Nick, John, Catherine, & Pay. (2019, February 2). Timberland premium WATERPROOF Boot review - is the hype real? stridewise.com. https://stridewise.com/timberland-boots-review/.

Bowen, F. (2018, November 7). Perspective | for space travelers, fitness is a top priority. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/for-space-travelers-fitness-is-a-top-priority/2018/11/02/9ee46d68-d631-11e8-aeb7-ddcad4a0a54e_story.html.

Laurent, M. S. (2008, March 21). Running shoe guide for dummies. ACTIVE.com. https://www.active.com/running/articles/running-shoe-guide-for-dummies#:~:text=Running%20shoes%20are%20designed%20to,shock%20and%20support%20your%20feet.&text=Running%20shoes%20are%20designed%20to%20handle%20the%20shock%20of%202.5,your%20foot%20strikes%20the%20ground.

NASA. (n.d.). STEMonstrations Classroom Connections - Bone Density and Muscle Stress in Microgravity. Nasa.gov. https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/bone-density-and-muscle-stress-in-microgravity.pdf.

Ricciardi, joseph, Sanders, J., & Nel, P. (2021, September 29). The 6 best cold Weather work boots for winter. WorkBootsGuru. https://www.workbootsguru.com/6-best-insulated-work-boots-winter/.

Shoes for Crews. (n.d.). Slip Resistant Athletic Shoes. Shoes for crews - Slip Resistant SHOES, Work shoes, Boots & CLOGS. https://www.shoesforcrews.com/sfc3/index.cfm?changeWebsite=US_en&route=c_store.athletic.

Sportsman's Guide. (n.d.). High traction shoes | sportsman's guide. High Traction Shoes. https://www.sportsmansguide.com/th/high-traction-shoes.

Timberland. (n.d.). Mens boots, hiking Boots & work boots. Timberland US Store. https://www.timberland.com/shop/mens-boots.

Treat, J., Bennett, J., & Turner, C. (2020, November 6). Charting each generation of NASA ASTRONAUTS reveals how the 'right Stuff' has changed. National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/graphics/charting-how-nasa-astronaut-demographics-have-changed-over-time.

United Heartland. (n.d.). Friction and Footwear. https://www.unitedheartland.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/18021-UH-WalkSafe-Friction-and-Footwear-Updating-9509.pdf.

University of Southern Maine. "Does the Moon have gravity?" | Planetarium | University of Southern Maine. (n.d.). https://usm.maine.edu/planet/does-moon-have-gravity.

Socks, Slipper, SHUTTLE. Socks, Slipper, Shuttle | National Air and Space Museum. (n.d.). https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/socks-slipper-shuttle/nasm_A19840188000

Image Citations:

Picture 3

Long, E. L. (2016, March 5). Socks, Slipper, Shuttle [Photograph]. https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-media/NASM-A19840188000_PS01

Picture 1

MEN’S DIRECT ATTACH 6" WATERPROOF WORK BOOT. (n.d.). [Photograph]. https://www.timberland.com/shop/mens-pro-work-boots/mens-direct-attach-6-inch-waterproof-work-boot-black-26036001

Picture 2

Ghost 14. (n.d.). [Photograph]. https://www.brooksrunning.com/en_us/ghost-14-mens-cushioned-road-running-shoe/110369.html