Homework 3 Exploration Problem Mars Inflatable Habitat Introduction ­ One aspect

Question

Homework 3 Exploration Problem Mars Inflatable Habitat Introduction ­ One aspect of colonizing Mars is creating suitable habitats for human living. Several approaches have been proposed, including using natural or mined caves, burying hard shelters, or constructing shelters on the surface. Some design considerations include: Galactic cosmic radiation and solar flare proton emissions pose long term radiation exposure problems, however approximately 3m of Mars dirt is sufficient shielding. The Mars atmosphere is essentially a vacuum. Although humans appear to be able to survive under reduced atmospheric conditions, assume for this exploration that the atmospheric pressure will be the same as on Earth. Any structure will have to withstand the pressure differential. An optimal design would be preconfigured in a collapsed form on Earth, transported to the Mars surface, and either self­assemble, be robotically assembled, or require minimal human assembly. The structure will need to be as light as possible per unit volume of inhabitable area, have a long lifetime, have airlocks, and meet structural requirements. An interested design proposal is described in, the following paper, which is in BlackBoard: Habitat Architecture Concept Definition for “Integrated Strategies for the Human Exploration of the Moon and Mars” (A NASA­funded Study): Interim Status Report Assignment ­ Study the above paper. Note that the space­frame approach provides a clear interior space with no vertical supports. However, it seems to preclude the ability to fold the support structure into a collapsed form that could be unfolded by inflating the structure. Also, having a clear interior space, while nice, is not necessary. I would like you to investigate an alternative framing scheme where the structure is made of vertical supports and horizontal trusses, retaining the exterior skin design. I believe this structure could be designed to self­assemble upon inflation. In this assignment we will examine the material properties needed for the interior vertical support posts. Assume that the interior framing consists of lightweight horizontal trusses supported by vertical posts 3m tall.  Assume that the posts are positioned every 5m in a square grid. Assume that the outer skin and trussing masses are negligible. Assume that the outer skin and trussing distribute the loads due to air pressure differential evenly to the vertical posts. Assume that the post material is the strongest carbon fiber type. Assume a safety factor of 4. A. What is the load on the vertical posts? B. What is the mass of each post? Repeat the above questions (C, D) assuming that 3m of Mars regolith (dirt) is piled on top of the structure, with the same assumptions. E. Would you design the posts to be solid rods or hollow tubes?

Explanation / Answer

According to the studies of the paper the inflatable habitat architecture can be adopted for use on surface of moon and Mars. The study involves a hybrid inflatable design which can maximize the technologies which are used in different pressurized subsystems eg space suits, connecting structures, airlocks, pressurized rover interfaces. This approach includes the inflatable fabric structure which is constrained by a internal rigid frame which is composed of palleted kit of parts. The inflatable bladder is expanded partially when the pallet is emplaced on the surface. The main objective of the frame is to protect the habitat during the times of depressurisation. The frame also supports the attachment of loads like storage racks, life support equipment, floor and wall panels and provide a means by which habitat can be rigidly connected to other base elements. By keeping the habitat near the surface and avoiding the domed upper surface, this configuration is able to support structurally and morphologically an overburden of heavy regolith for the radiation shielding.

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