Mars Life Base by Joesegura

Last crawled date: 3 years ago

To start this is no easy challenge for anyone, as it would have been down by now. When looking into the design of a possible Mars base there is more than just basic structure that is necessary to look at. Not only are there dangerous gamma rays that are harmful to humans but dust storms that can last months on the amazing red planet. A more curtail part of a mars colony is the psychological factors that come into play, that is why I took a large amount of this competition time to place these factors into my design.
Design
A: As you can see the windows are an essential part of my design leading away from common square symmetrical designs. The triangle shape building is designed for multiple purposes, one being the subconscious effects it can have of the astronauts. Having lots of area for to see outward is something that would benefit several people on a one way mission. First off with high wind speeds it is important that there is no tall upward structure. The wind aerodynamically passes over the building which can eventually have wind turbines placed onto top for extra power, yet not suitable for a good 3D print. Along with the walls being a slanted triangle shape you can see that there is a triangle solar grid laying on the ground. Throughout the days these are a main source of power for the base. When a storm is near these are lifted up to block the windows from potential damage, also with solar cells on the bottom so that when closed still able to charge.
B: Part B which is the living quarters to the base and the main area that the crew will be in. A separate reason for this shape building is the easy assembly for the crew. They do not have months to make a base and looking through some of these other designs they underestimate the time and man power needed to put a structure together. With a base of this design all parts can be folded and raised up into place simply.
C: Part C is one of the features that described earlier has multiple functions. At 225 million km away all parts need to have multiple purposes so that everything that can go wrong, will not go wrong! You can see the four parts to the grid are all placed with solar cells with the center area coming up to form a wind turbine as well. A third purpose to this design is that like the other walls with windows the turbine can fold down and the whole laying solar panel lifts up to protect against high winds. Also with a solar cells on the bottom side for power when covering windows.
D: This part is a common work area that can hold equipment for the base along with all lab work.
E: Part E serves as an emergency area for the worst of conditions. Gamma rays, Temperature drops that can happen each night or a intense sand storm, also very common. Astronauts would enter this area in case of emergency which is located under ground so that they are safely protected.
F: Part F serves as functions to part E. Incase of emergency these walls collect power for the emergency base with solar cells. If needed these walls come together and make a small base to be secure if the large base has been damaged. Again solar cells are places on both sides for solar power when on ground or closed to protect our astronauts.
The base was designed and thought through from research on the red planet and the common features happening on a day to day bases. Also psychological research was used to imply certain shapes and features to help our astronauts living there. I took the time to put features of previous designs over the internet and some ideas form previous entries to create what I think would be a suitable living quarter and lab.