Elusive Mars Base, Focused on Functionality and Adaptation.

There’s more than what meets the eye…

A Mars base, underground? While it may seem unusual at best, this mars base doesn’t go for any aesthetic competition; however, its functionality and accountability are something to trifle with! Mars is the next step our human civilization is taking to live outside our planet, and its harsh conditions are even more in terms of the trouble they cause. However, we have plans to land someone here, and to figure out how to do so safely, we must analyze the surrounding environment first.

My name is Sadhana G, and I am a rising junior in Coppell High School. In my free time, I love coding, reading new Astronomy things, designing random buildings (Sometimes I like building my dream house haha), and learning new information!

Taking a deeper dive into the “Make it Resilient” challenge, I realized there was way more than what meets the eye. I have no experience with any 3D design or construction but I do build amateur projects in my free time (Consider them passion projects) and this challenge enabled be to take it a step further. I learned a lot of new skills, from operating TinkerCad to learning more about Mars’ environment itself; I felt it was a great challenge in which I was able to enhance my toolbox.

The one thing I am most proud of however, is being able to do this without any prior technical knowledge. I’m glad I was able to create an Instructable that you don’t need to have any prior knowledge in 3D design in order to create. I’m happy that I was able to create something other people can enjoy too, regardless of their education level!

Without further ado, let us get into the details of my creation!

Sincerely,

SadmoG

• A TinkerCad Account (Free!) - The ability to use the tools inside as well.

• Internet Connection

• The ability to browse the web

Optional: Planner/Brainstorm doc - created by me (Free!)

Here was my full TinkerCad Build: Here’s the link!

Here is a video demo of my design

To be able to build a project like this, a substantial portion of your time should be spent researching and deciding what features your final project needs to have. In my case, I researched everything about Mars’ extreme environment and any current technologies dealing with this difficult process. I compiled all of the information I needed into a neat little doc where I linked the articles and looked through information yet again to see the information in one place. This is a really crucial component of the entire process due to the fact that any mistake done in your research here can affect the people using your prototype or living in these conditions, if they were to use it.

What’s truly important, is the ability to identify what won’t work in your environment as well. Because there may be multiple different options/components to choose from when looking for specific features, it is crucial that you can identify if it will be effective in your environment or not.

For your convenience, I have attached a planning doc which I used and created along the way. This may help speed up the process for you, if you want to create a different project with a different extreme environment!

After all of that research, you should create a blueprint of your plan, implementing all of the design choices you have learnt. Above I have attached my original game plan, however mine has had minor changes such as changes in layout and structure. That’s okay! Because the engineering process is an evolving and growing stage, it’s okay if you change your design like I did! Each component above will be more thoroughly explained in later steps, so stick around to look at some interesting design choices!

Click on the create button and open a new project. We’re now going to build based on the previous research we have done!

Our first step on Mars is to create a place where the spaceships can land, unloading passengers, and precious cargo back from earth. Although it may seem like you can just land the rocket anywhere and unload the people and packages directly, there are a lot of factors to consider such as Mars’ gravity, atmospheric pressure, radiation and so much more. How can we fix this? Using a built in lander, dug into the ground can be quite useful. Due to it being isolated from the Martian landscape after it has been inside the underground lander, as well as it being easier to unload and refuel, the underground lander is a viable option in terms of landing the spacecraft. Once inside the landing chamber, a disengaging spray can be activated, ridding the spaceship of any pathogens and other harmful substances. Of course in real life, this would only be achieved using a tedious process, with 10 feet of granite or sandstone on the outside to prevent radiation, as well as porous basaltic rock on the inside to prevent cutting off air circulation throughout the underground area. Because there will be multiple spaceships, we must have multiple landers, however for the purposes of this prototype, I only used 2.

Another viable option could have been a friendly glass dome to protect the civilization while also having stylistic features. However, the walls of the glass dome should be quite thick, as well as the added risk of dust storms and other things which could potentially compromise the structure. Also, a glass dome is essentially useless against the harmful radiation of Mars’ lack of atmosphere. This is why I chose the underground option, where things are much more friendlier to the inhabitants, and more feasible/less expensive to produce. Also there isn’t the unnecessary need for the dome checks, for potential areas of compromise.

To build this feature, simply click on the magnifying icon on the left of the toolbar and search up “Adjustable Box”. Click the third one (a purple/maroon hue) and drag it to the workspace. After placing it, drag the height and lower it all the way below the blue plane. This will result in it being below the plane and upside down. Using the double arrow feature on the side of the object, turn it right back up and adjust it accordingly based on how you desire.

We’ve seen the ISS. The chamber in between space and the rocket when astronauts are going through those two areas is called a decompression chamber. It’s mainly used to relive the pressure strain from the astronaut, however I have repurposed it to do a couple of different things. Because of the airlock, the decompression chamber helps the astronaut be able to safely maneuver between the two spaces without difficulties. My repurposing had led to a detoxification chamber as well. When astronauts are traveling from Earth to Mars, they are basically living on a small spaceship for months. This can also lead to harmful contamination of pathogens and other difficulties, compromising the health of the people. Therefore, this buffer room allows for them to rid themselves through many different methods. Of course, due to Mars’ gravity (or lack thereof), which is only 38% of Earth’s, it’s not as simple as giving them a shower. A storage of liquid soap pouches and a simulated gravity experience would be needed. However because the effects of simulated gravity only exist if you are in acceleration or rotation, the buffer/decompression chamber must be constantly rotating, with only small intervals at which the people can enter/exit the room.

To build this feature, you will need three different 3D blocks. Firstly use the “SoftBox” block for the soft rounded edges but thick walls. Shape it into a long rectangle. Next, search up “ISO metric thread” and choose the thing which looks like a screw (roughly). Place it into the corner of your build. Finally use the same thing you used for Step 3, the “Adjustable Box”, and shape it into a small rectangle. This will be the water storage/as well as a recycling plant.

How will this Mars base be fully maintained and established? That’s what a control room is for! From guiding the spacecrafts to their respective landing modules, to maintaining the energy (We’ll get into that soon!) and water storage. Like all other constructs in the prototype, it is surrounded by 10 ft thick granite with a layer of porous basaltic rock.

To build this feature, simply use the “SoftBox” feature again and include 6 “Cooling Fans”. Although I agree that cooling fans have no purpose in this build, it’s rather the appeal or effect that they give (i.e. I couldn’t find anything to make a computer)

The Center, (I like to call it because it’s the center of my creation as well as the center of the challenge; where people can live) is the place where people can live freely, almost like a mini village with beds and other facilities. This area is quite large with 18 different mini cubicles for each person. Each cubicle contains basic necessities such as a bed, clothes, and much more. A person can live comfortably in the cubicle, as a matter of fact if there was any impending situation (Highly unlikely), they would be able to survive for 3 full days inside with oxygen (Water and food included). This is possible using 2 different systems (Discussed later on down below). On the empty side, are common facilities such as a gym (When your bone density is 38% of what it should be regularly, they can become very brittle. Exercise is a must), cafeteria, library, and much more. This is to ensure the villagers (Pioneers?) are mentally kept in check, and that not everyday is the same to them. Human wellbeing is fundamental to extreme environments such as these, as you don’t have much activities to do outside!

To build this feature, use the “SoftBox” feature once again. Later, using the search bar, search up “Icosahedron” and click on the purple shape. You can click on it however many times you would like, however, I have done 18 to just showcase a prototype. Size them to be substantially smaller than the “SoftBox”, however big enough to “house a human”. Next using the regular shapes, take a rectangular prism to divide the living space from the other facilities. There you have it! Your Center is finished!

The red circles on the top are the sand dunes of Mars. They were included as an artistic element of the surrounding area.

Energy. Humans need it; we cannot survive without it. However on Mars, how exactly do we get that energy? There are many different ways, however conventional methods won’t work on the red planet. We’re going to have to go with renewables. There are many different types, so how did I choose which one to use?

Hydro energy is out of the question, and so is natural gas. Both are only found on Earth, and Mars does not have either of them.

We’re left with the major three: Wind energy, Solar Energy, and Nuclear Energy.

Wind energy requires wind turbines and of course wind. However, there isn’t much wind on Mars (exception being the dust storms). As a matter of fact, wind on Mars has about 99% less force than on Earth. Wind energy won’t quite produce much. However, even if we implemented wind energy, the dust would get into the equipment, and with it flying at around 60 mph, it can significantly and slowly damage equipment, dealing with lots of maintenance and replacements.

What about solar? Mars only gets around 43% (50% if we round) of Earth’s sunlight. Solar energy on Earth already needs a lot of land coverage to get the same amount of energy from other places, however on Mars it would be even worse. Even if we were able to efficiently harness the sun’s power from Mars, the dust could get caught inside panels making them less efficient over time. The lifespan of a solar panel is around 25-30 years, and this would be further reduced due to the dust storms. This can call for frequent maintenance/replacements, which isn’t effective in the long run.

Nuclear power however, holds significant promise. Nuclear fission can be created using a small space of cargo on one of the incoming vessels, and can even produce significant energy, enough to power the base for years to come. The only challenges are portability and capability, but those can be solved by it being underground and stationary. Assemble parts could be brought on the cargo ship, and can be assembled on spot. Therefore, we have our answer!

A oxygen generator could also be used to regulate the air as well as temperature, using pipes secured throughout the walls of the structures. Unlike the name suggests (Doesn’t generate per se), the Oxygen generator uses plasma technology to convert carbon dioxide, which the Martian atmosphere is primarily composed of, into oxygen. This plasma reactor is the key to getting oxygen onto the planet Mars. The feature is attached to many of the areas in order to accurately disperse the oxygen throughout the structure.

To build this feature, simply click on the cylinder two times and create two for the two different capsules or chambers of the nuclear reactor sections. Next, create the oxygen generator by using a rectangular prism to input it into the side of the Center. Using a rectangular prism, and shaping it into a thin and small version of itself, connect the oxygen generator to the nuclear reactor. Congrats, you’ve finished energy!

Not all food can be packaged on the way to Mars. Food must be appetizing for people on the planet to be able to eat. This is the reason why farming methods should be used! However farming here is much different than on Earth. Firstly, Martian Soil doesn’t quite grow things; it lacks the proper nutrients to sufficiently grow food. As a total, only ten crops have been used to support growth on Martian soil (including tomatoes, rye, and peas to name a few); however, this was only the case when freshly cut grass was added to the soil. This systematic barrier can be overcome using a few different ways.

One, vertical farming is a technique used by many people, also using Ultraviolet light to simulate the real sun. This can help with plant growth and health.

Secondly, using the feces/waste products from the people living in the Martian base, we can fertilize the plants to give them the essential nutrients they need, as well as using a blend of fertilizers carefully crafted back at earth.

Thirdly, a way of efficiently watering the plants is needed, this is why rovers are quite useful in regulating the waste management and can prove to be a very vital asset in the coming future.

To build this feature, add a “Round roof” and make it transparent. Then using the search bar, search for “Pointed Windmill Blade”, they look similar to plants, so they will suffice. Then click and drag them inside the “Rounded Roof” feature you put in earlier. Make many of them and put them together to create the sense of a “garden”.

Extreme environment habitats are quite hard to live in. Because of their harsh conditions, we humans are unable to do anything in them outside of our structures. However, extreme environments provide some things we cannot find living on Earth. For instance, sunsets on Mars appear blue rather than our usual red/orange/yellow hued ones. I believe these environments can show us the world (or I should say planets) outside our scope or understanding. It has always been in human nature to explore. Yet exploring while living in these extreme habitats proves how resilient we are as a species, yet also proves our curiosity and insatiable thirst to learn. All that said, I believe this can quite literally change everything we know and collectively enhance human wellbeing by satisfying our quest for knowledge through different extremes.

I learnt a lot of different things during this process, as well as learning how to operate TinkerCad, and learning how different design choices can make an impact through different processes. I believe these skills can help me design better things in the future, and maybe even lead to me helping people through design. This challenge has given me an opportunity to do so, for which I truly am grateful.

Thank you for your consideration!

This is me signing out,

SadmoG