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Water:
-NASA uses a water recycling system that reclaims waste waters from the space shuttle's fuel cells, urine, oral hygiene and hand washing and by condensing humidity from the air
~First step: A filter that removes particles and debris
~Second step: Water passes through multi-filtration beds. They contain substances which remove organic and inorganic substances
~Last step: There is a "catalytic oxidation reactor" which removes volatile organic compounds and kills bacteria and viruses
Energy:
-We will get energy from solar panels that will be placed on the outside of our Hab
-Solar panels contain solar cells that change the sun's energy into power for electricity. The solar cells are made up of purified chunks of the element silicon. It directly converts light to electricity using a process called photovoltaics.
-The solar panels will be set out like a blanket, so the light being received will be spread out across the Hab.
Pressure:
-The pressure vessel is the Hab. This is where everything is contained and where the astronauts will be staying
-The Orion Spacecraft, similar to our Hab, that was made at NASA was built by a process of welding aluminum together with friction-stir welding.
-"It produces incredibly strong bonds by transforming metals from a solid into a plastic-like state, and then using a rotating pin tool to soften, stir and forge a bond between two metal components to from a uniform welded joint, a vital requirement of next-generation space hardware." ~NASA
Oxygen:
-We will be using an "Oxygen Generation System" on our Hab.
-The system uses water to generate breathable oxygen for crew members. It helps replace lost oxygen during experiments and airlock depressurization. During normal operations it will provide 12 pounds of oxygen a day, enough to support 6 crew members. The system has to cut into the water supply and split the liquid into hydrogen and oxygen molecules.
Radiation Shielding:
"The best way to stop particle radiation is by running that energetic particle into something that's a similar size." ~NASA
-Hydrogen is able to block radiation very well. It makes up common compounds such as plastics like polyethylene. They can process the astronauts' trash into plastic filled tiles which can be used as a radiation protection.
-On our model, we will use canvas to represent the radiation shielding.
Food:
-We will have a garden to grow food on our Hab.
-On the ISS, they have been able to grow red romaine lettuce. Lettuce is currently the most abundant crop in space. The "veggie system" NASA uses has red, blue and green LEDs for plant growth. The red romaine lettuce seeds are planted into "pillows" which include controlled release fertilizer and a type of clay found on baseball fields. The clay increases aeration and helps the growth of the plants. For other foods not being grown in the garden, they can be eaten in natural form like fruit. But some foods require heat like mac & cheese. An oven will be provided to heat the food to the right and proper temperature. The only downside is there is no fridge, so the food must be properly stored so it doesn't spoil.


Hab



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