Engineering Design

• Course Objective:

To design and construct a scale model of a lunar colony by following the engineering design process

I - 1

• By 2020 the U.S. is planning to have established a lunar colony.

• By 2040, humans on Mars.

• This challenge was presented to the public by President G.W. Bush on January 14, 2004.

I - 1

Background

• The President committed the United States to a long-term human and robotic program to explore the solar system, starting with a return to the Moon that will ultimately enable future exploration of Mars and other destinations.

• The President's vision affirms our Nation's commitment to manned space exploration. It gives NASA a new focus and clear objectives.

• It must be affordable and sustainable while maintaining the highest levels of safety.

I - 1

Background

Why Explore?

I - 1

Space Technology Affects the Lives of Every American• More than 1,300 NASA and other U.S. space technologies

have contributed to U.S. industry, improving our quality of life and helping save lives.

• Image processing used in CAT Scanners and MRI technology in hospitals worldwide came from technology developed to computer-enhanced pictures of the Moon for the Apollo programs.

• Kidney dialysis machines were developed as a result of a NASA-developed chemical process, and insulin pumps were based on technology used on the Mars Viking spacecraft.

• Programmable Heart Pacemakers were first developed in the 1970s using NASA satellite electrical systems.

Why Explore?

I - 1

Space Technology Affects the Lives of Every American• Fetal heart monitors were developed from technology

originally used to measure airflow over aircraft wings.• Surgical probes used to treat brain tumors in children

resulted from special lighting technology developed for plant growth experiments on Space Shuttle missions.

• Infrared hand-held cameras used to observe blazing plumes from the Shuttle have helped firefighters point out hot spots in brush fires.

• Satellite communications allow news organizations to provide live, on-the-spot broadcasting from anywhere in the world; families and businesses to stay in touch using cellphone networks; and the simple pleasures of satellite TV and radio, and the convenience of ATMs across the country and around the world.

Why the moon?

I - 1

1. The moon is a rich laboratory

• The history of our solar system is preserved and readable in the ancient dust of the lunar surface. – An understanding of the impact hazard in the Earth-

moon system – An unraveling of the processes and evolution of our

sun, the major driver of climate and life on Earth.

Why the moon?

I - 1

2. The moon is a stable platform to observe the universe

• Its far side is the only known place in the solar system permanently shielded from Earth's radio noise.

– That allows observation of the sky at radio wavelengths never before seen.

– Every time we open a new spectral window on the universe, we find unexpected and astounding phenomena.

Why the moon?

I - 1

3. The moon is close, yet very foreign

• Only three days away, but filled with mysteries, landscapes and treasures.

– An inspiring and difficult task of living and working there,

– Learn how to explore a planetary surface – Learn how the combined efforts of both humans and

machines can enable new levels of productive exploration.

Why the moon?

I - 1

4. The moon is rich in resources

• With its resources and proximity to Earth, the moon is a natural logistics and supply base,

– Energy and materials– An offshore island of useful commodities for use

there, in space, and ultimately back on Earth

Why the moon?

I - 1

5. The moon poles may contain 10 billion tons of water

• Water supports life and can be broken down into its two components, hydrogen and oxygen.

– These elements make the highest-energy chemical rocket propellant known.

– 10 billion tons – enough to launch a fully fueled space shuttle once a day, every day, for over 39 years.

Why the moon?

I - 1

6. Solar power on the moon

• The moon's slow rotation, unclouded skies and abundant local materials make it possible to build installations specifically designed to harvest solar energy there.

– Collected on the moon and beamed to Earth and throughout the space between the two, can provide a clean and reliable energy source for space-based applications and for users on Earth as well.

– Instead of launching arrays from the deep gravity well of Earth, we would use the local soil and make hundreds of tons of solar panels on the moon.

Why the moon?

I - 1

7. The moon is the staging ground, supply station and classroom for our voyage into the universe

• Living on the moon will expand the sphere of human and robotic activity in space beyond low-Earth orbit. We must:

– Master the skills of extracting local resources– Build our capability to journey and explore in hostile

regions– Create new reservoirs of human culture and experience

Why the moon?

I - 1

7. The moon is the staging ground, supply station and classroom for our voyage into the universe

• Living on the moon will expand the sphere of human and robotic activity in space beyond low-Earth orbit. We must:

– Master the skills of extracting local resources– Build our capability to journey and explore in hostile

regions– Create new reservoirs of human culture and experience

Engineering Design

I - 1

Engineering – The systematic application

of mathematical, scientific, and technical principles

that yields a tangible end product

that meets our needs or desires.

Ingenuity Design Firm

I - 1

4 Groups – rotating group leaders

a. Energy

b. Shelter

c. Transportation

d. Sustainability

Ingenuity Design Firm

I - 1

Energy Considerations

• How is energy developed on the moon?

• From where does the fuel come?

• What are safety concerns?

• For what will the energy be used?

Ingenuity Design Firm

I - 1

Shelter Design

• What type of environment is on the moon?• From what do inhabitants need protected?• How does temperature impact the shelter design? • Radiation? • Length of the day? • How will structures be constructed? • What will they look like?

Ingenuity Design Firm

I - 1

Transportation

• How will we get to the moon and back to the Earth?

• How will supplies be carried? • As weight goes up, so does the cost and

propulsion requirements. How does this impact shelter design?

• How to we travel on the surface of the moon?

Ingenuity Design Firm

I - 1

Sustainability

• What will people eat on the moon? • From where will food come? • How will they get, transport, and filter

water? • Where will waste from humans be

contained? • What can and can not be recycled?

Ingenuity Design Firm

I - 1

Engineering Design Process

Defining the problems we face

…

Building a scale model of your design

Ingenuity Design Firm

I - 1

Engineering Design Process

Affordable and Sustainable

¼” = 1’-0”

$100 for each group

Rules and Expectations

I - 1

Schedule

Late Assignments

Student Handbook

Group Notebook

Course Expectations

Sources

I - 1

• The Washington Post– http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conten

t/article/2005/12/26/AR2005122600648.html

• NASA’s website– www.nasa.gov