2015 RASC-AL Competition Team

Date: April 23, 2015

Purpose: Design a conceptual permanent self-sustaining Martian base with a concentration on in-situ resource utilization

Josiah EmeryBrian Crane Josh MannLogan CoardZach Desocio

Andrew GermanSteven Trenor

Jon ButtramJonathan Ricci

Gregory GreeneIan Nemetz-

Gardener

Power and Energy SystemsRadiation effects on MarsIn-situ Plastic ProductionStructure DesignWater productionMechanical Properties: Martian PermafrostAdditional areas (analyzed but not

discussed):Food productionTransportation

Base Design ElementsBrian Crane

Power and Energy SystemsJonathan Ricci and Hunter GreeneRapid-L nuclear reactor

5 MW of thermal energy200 KW of electrical energy

Solar panel arraysReliability Initial power source

Fuel cellsRadioisotope powered rovers

Rapid-L Nuclear Reactor

Radiation Effects on MarsIan Nemetz-Gardner and Jonathan ButtramTypes of radiation

Neutron FluxGalactic CosmicHigh and low Linear Energy Transfer (LET)Rapid-L radiation

Radiation levels on MarsProtection Methods

Regolith shieldingLiquid methane and water

Expert ConsultationDr. Britten of EVMS

The Sabatier Reaction• CO2 (g) + 4 H2 (g) CH4 + 2 H2O

Oxidative Coupling of Methane to Ethylene

• CH4 + O2 C2H4 + H2OSlurry Reaction (TiCl3 = Zeigler-Natta Catalyst)

• C2H4 Polyethylene + (C2H4)n

In-situ Plastic ProductionSteven Trenor

Structure DesignLogan Coard and Zach DesocioBase Size

Supports 24 people Size: Approximately 1540 m3

Structure ShapeFour cylindrical modules connected with airlock

chambers (7 m Diameter, 10 m Long)Inflatable structures

Can support up to 5 m of regolithEstimated life span: 20 yearsPressurized bladder with Vectran exoskeleton Mylar and Dacron due to decompostition of Vectran

NASA Langley Inflatable Structure

BEAM (Bigelow Expandable Activity Module)

Water ProductionJosh MannWater is an essential resource for all base systemsPossible sources of water:

Equatorial brine streaks (unreliable)Subsurface permafrost in northern polar region

Extraction system:Fracture regolith-ice layersTransport to rock crusher

Mining machinery analogPressurized tank for water evaporation

Thermal energy from Rapid-L

Approximate analysis60 kg of water from a 12 hour cycle and 1 MW of thermal

energy

Mechanical Properties: Martian PermafrostBrian CraneColonization is feasible because of water

Mechanical properties of permafrost needed Three point bend test at NASA Langley

Research CenterYields:

Bending StressShear StressMaximum LoadingEffective Young’s Modulus

Predict levels of force required on actual Martian surface

Mechanical Properties: Martian PermafrostAndrew GermanTesting:

No access to actual Martian JSC-1a Martian regolith simulant Volcanic sand from an island in Hawaii

Water content selection 15 to 35% by mass water in increments of 5% Additional samples: 2% by NaCL

Temperature selection -140 C (130.15 K): minimum surface temperature -63 C (210.15 K): average surface temperature -20 C (253.15 K): typical summer temperature

Water Content by Latitude

Mars Odyssey Data

Mechanical Properties: Martian PermafrostJon ButtramSample Creation:

Foam molds utilized (water ice expansion)Layer of Saran wrap to protect against water damageJSC-1a baked to remove initial moisture and air

moleculesDry ice

Simulates carbon dioxide rich environment during freezingSample total: 54

9 at each water content 3 trials for each condition Minimum for statistical analysis

Representative Testing Articles

Mechanical Properties: Martian PermafrostZach Desocio

Testing Parameters:250 lb load cellApplied a strain rate: 0.05 in/sCryogenic chamber and liquid nitrogenThermocouples for measuring real time

temperature On load applicator On extra sample in chamber to ensure proper

temperatureTwo failure modes of the samples

Three-point Bend Test (-143 C)

Mechanical Properties: Martian PermafrostJosiah EmeryGoal: determine bend and shear stress for

breakingResults:

Mechanical Properties: Martian PermafrostJosiah Emery

Mechanical Properties: Martian PermafrostJosiah Emery

Mechanical Properties: Martian PermafrostJosiah Emery

Mechanical Properties: Martian PermafrostJosiah Emery

Conclusions:Breaking force increases with water contentStrength is minimal at 15% or lower water contentPermafrost appears stronger at -63 C (210.15 K)

Decrease in strength at other temperatures Rock crushing is a feasible option

At low concentrations, the effects of temperature were minimal

Influence of brine on sample strength is unclear Does not appear to be a problem

Mechanical Properties: Martian PermafrostJosiah EmeryDiscussion

Failure modes: Immediate failure at maximum loading Formation of cracks and constant loading until failure

Sources of error: Hand-made foam molds Anisotropic material JSC-1a simulates Martian regolith

Future work: Different freezing rates (size of ice crystals – Dr. Hudson) Increase sample population Thermophysical properties

Gantt Chart

Questions