NSS SPACE SETTLEMENT
ASM Venus (2020-2021)
International Grand Prize
The AeroSpace Meridian Venus is a cylindrical space station orbiting the asteroid 16 Psyche. The space station is designed to manufacture additional spacecraft for further habitation of the solar system by utilizing this resource-rich asteroid. People from every background will be unified in one spacecraft in hopes of improving the betterment of mankind and space technology over the course of numerous generations. This project is separated into three phases. Phase I revolves around utilizing present-day technologies. Two space rings, the Mercury Class space stations, are constructed in low earth orbit. We designed a novel shielding panel to protect the stations from high-velocity particles. Communications will be sustained via an Earth-based ground station. We constructed a proof of concept ground station to authenticate how such a station would behave.
Phase II details the ASM Mercury-I and the ASM Mercury-II Hohmann transfer to 16 Psyche. The space rings ensure constant artificial gravity, which serves as a preventative to an array of short-term and chronic illnesses ranging from heart conditions to bone loss. Due to the extreme cost of shipping mass quantities of food on a long-term space expedition, the ASM Mercury stations will use aeroponics to maximize food production and minimize excess cargo weight.
Phase II considers in depth how we shall overcome language barriers and cultural differences between nationalities. Phase III describes how raw materials from 16 Psyche are acquired and how power for the immense station will be sustained. The ASM Venus will feature hexagonal housing for structural integrity. Gas detectors will ensure the safety of the inhabitants living in the enclosed space station. Ultimately, the ASM Venus will serve as long-term housing for thousands of crew members who will assemble future space stations for human expansion into the solar system.
The Team
[pictured left to right]
back row: Austin Pham, Jaxen Flegel, Andrew Olafsrud, Josiah Richards
front row: Mikella Chang, Christian Taniyama-Mento, Hana Husek
View Document Here:
https://space.nss.org/settlement/nasa/Contest/Results/2021/ASM-Venus.pdf
ASM Corporis (2018-2019)
International Grand Prize
Click image below to view full presentation
The Team
The ASM Corporis is a space ring to be located at 1.416 AU in the vicinity of Mars. The Corporis is designed to facilitate the mining of the asteroid belt in order to provide resources for the Earth and generate an economy; it will also operate as an outpost for Mars exploration. This venture is presented in three phases: Moon supply base; design, construction, and orbital placement; and colonial life. In Phase I we discuss the construction of a Moon supply base which will provide the Corporis construction team with food, water, and fuel. Food plants will be grown on the Moon using the lunar regolith. Though lunar regolith is normally dangerous, we discovered by experiment that lunar regolith can be sintered and rebroken to be used as growing soil. For agricultural water, we will acquire water from the Moon reservoirs located near the South Pole. In addition, lunar water will also be transformed into rocket fuel (LOX) via the process of electrolysis. Our experiments show that the water does not have to be purified because water soiled with lunar regolith simulant undergoes the process of electrolysis at a higher rate than purified water. In addition, the lunar water will be used for agriculture and drinking water.
Phase II consists of the design, construction, and orbital transfer. In the design stage, we have calculated the dimensions of the ASM Corporis required for the living and agricultural areas of the space ring. Our shielding designs are based on our radiation and high velocity particle field tests. In the construction stage, our plan is to send rockets with payloads of AI robots and AR telerobots to Ryugu. Mining and refining operations will take place on Ryugu, essentially transforming the asteroid into the ASM Corporis. The orbital transfer stage involves the transfer from Ryugu’s elliptical orbit to a circular orbit of its apogee; the Corporis will be positioned close to, but outside of, Mars’ sphere of influence.
Phase III presents an overview of life on the ASM Corporis. This phase features originallydesigned houses based on Japanese architecture. We incorporate an original musical anthem written to unify our colonists through song. The ASM Corporis will be a permanent home for thousands and function as a food supply base and gravity rest stop for asteroid belt miners and Mars explorers.
View Document Here:
https://space.nss.org/settlement/nasa/Contest/Results/2019/ASM-Corporis.pdf
[pictured left to right]
back row: Logan Russell, Christian Williams, Jade Stone, Austin Pham, Josiah DeLuz, Nolan Pries, Josiah Richards
front row: Madeleina Wolcott, Hana Husek, Raychelle Lorenzo, Maya Calilao
ASM Oculus (2017-2018)
First place in category
For years in human history, man has longed to reach the
stars. In 1961 the first person orbited around the Earth,
and in 1969 the first man took his first steps on the moon.
Thirty years later, the ISS made its first orbit around the
Earth and is still intact today. What's next? We the members
of AeroSpace Meridian have designed a torus created to be
self-sustainable in the realm of space. The Oculus.
We focused on the basics of how we would be building our torus. The information we have gathered is based on what we consider the most realistic build plan using lunar resources: lunar regolith, helium-3, metals, and water. We use these resources as much as possible to benefit from the Moon’s low gravity. The Oculus has two primary levels, living quarters and agriculture, plus outer shielding to protect the community from radiation and high velocity particles. We performed our own research and survey to decide how the Oculus should be designed. Explore the universe with the members of AeroSpace Meridian.
The Team
Errantes Vitam (2016-2017)
First place in category
The Team
[pictured left to right] Enjolique Hughes, Reisa Waddell, Shanti Eskildsen, Kelly Chung, Witney O'Halloran,
Noa Baggs, Matthew Rosato
The Saturn system provides an ideal environment for a population to flourish outside of Earth.
Each of its moons contains materials that are integral to the continuation of the human species in the
system. Errantes Vitam, in creating a self-sufficient, orbital settlement, decided on a network within
Saturn’s system. Each of the celestial bodies included in this network produces materials that benefit
the colony. Four main sections make up this system: the torus S.S. Exodus, Titan, Enceladus, and Saturn’s rings (hereafter referred to as The Nomad Cluster). The SS Exodus works as the center of the Nomad Cluster. It contains all communications, a refueling and housing station for other vehicles, the colony itself, and an industrial center. The torus obtains its hydrogen fuel from Saturn’s moon Titan. Titan is the base of a methane refinery that converts methane to hydrogen fuel used in plasma engines. It also in the main source of resources that will fuel the Nomad Cluster's industry. Enceladus, another main moon of Saturn, provides water for the colony on the torus and for the functioning of the torus itself. Saturn’s rings will also be used as a mining place for water content. These combined entities will form a self-sustaining, investment worthy, and auspicious community perfect for settlement outside Earth.