A LUNAR BASE EXHIBIT PROPOSAL an Interactive Qualifying Project
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A LUNAR BASE EXHIBIT PROPOSAL An Interactive Qualifying Project Report submitted to the Faculty of the WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science by Ethan Warner Paul Crosby Michael Sack Date: March 15, 2011 Professor John Wilkes, Advisor This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its web site without editorial or peer review. 2 Abstract The goal of this project was to explore the potential in a lunar base exhibit to enhance science education. A Lunar Base (circa 2069) architectural competition sponsored by SHIFTboston provided us the opportunity to examine several promising concepts when the AIAA New England Chapter assigned us to reevaluate 89 entries based on technical feasibility and technological elegance. The results were presented to numerous audiences ranging from aerospace specialists to 5th graders. We persuaded SHIFTboston to run a second architectural competition with a lunar theme- this time focusing on a simulated lunar base as a science exhibit designed for grades 5-10. 3 Acknowledgments Dan Benoit, Architect, Member of Team Goddard Bruce Mackenzie, Member of Team Goddard Alessandra Anderson, Artist Kim Poliquin, Executive Director, SHIFTboston Dr. Fred Bortz, Author, Distinguished Lecturer Cecelia Gray, Principal, Midland St School, Worcester MA 4 Table of Contents Abstract ...................................................................................................................................................... 2 Acknowledgments ...................................................................................................................................... 3 Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................................ 4 Table of Figures ........................................................................................................................................... 6 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 7 The Campaign ........................................................................................................................................... 17 Team Goddard in the SHIFTBoston Contest .............................................................................................. 19 SHIFTBoston Contest Results and Moon Ball 2010 ................................................................................... 25 SHIFTBoston Judging Process and Criteria ................................................................................................ 30 AIAA Judging Presentations .................................................................................................................. 39 Composite Base ........................................................................................................................................ 42 Exhibit Design ........................................................................................................................................... 52 Tying the SHIFTboston Judging back to the Curriculum Team .................................................................. 60 The Midland School Presentations ....................................................................................................... 66 Future Momentum ................................................................................................................................... 69 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................ 72 Bibliography .............................................................................................................................................. 75 Appendix ................................................................................................................................................... 76 Our Poster Finalists for the Technical Feasibility and Elegance Award ................................................. 76 Origins of the USAF Space Program 1945-1956 .................................................................................... 87 Chapter 1 - The Beginnings ............................................................................................................... 87 Proposal to the City of Worcester ......................................................................................................... 91 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 91 The Lunar Base Exhibit ...................................................................................................................... 92 The Competition ............................................................................................................................... 95 The Ideal Location ............................................................................................................................. 98 Current Support .............................................................................................................................. 105 Conclusion....................................................................................................................................... 106 5 References ...................................................................................................................................... 109 ORIGINS OF THE USAF SPACE PROGRAM 1945-1956 .......................................................................... 109 Independent Study Project by David Linke ......................................................................................... 113 Entry Rankings & Validation ............................................................................................................ 113 Discussion of Results ....................................................................................................................... 115 Frequency Distributions .................................................................................................................. 115 Categories ....................................................................................................................................... 115 Standard Variables .......................................................................................................................... 115 Compound Variables ....................................................................................................................... 117 Relationships ................................................................................................................................... 118 Standard Variables .......................................................................................................................... 118 Compound Variables ....................................................................................................................... 120 Technical Feasibility ........................................................................................................................ 122 Moon Capital Competition 2010 ..................................................................................................... 122 6 Table of Figures Figure 1 - Lunar sling design concept ........................................................................................................ 20 Figure 2 - Nuclear facility overview ........................................................................................................... 21 Figure 3 - Classroom facility overview ...................................................................................................... 23 Figure 4 - Craterville rendering ................................................................................................................. 24 Figure 5 - Living quarters from Moon Capital ........................................................................................... 45 Figure 6 - Living quarters from Craterville ................................................................................................ 45 Figure 7 - Living quarters from L.E.A.P. ..................................................................................................... 46 Figure 8 - Moon Captial light reflector ...................................................................................................... 47 Figure 9 - Composite Base depictions ....................................................................................................... 51 Figure 10 - Moon Capital........................................................................................................................... 77 Figure 11 - Craterville ................................................................................................................................ 78 Figure 12 - The Crater Colony ................................................................................................................... 79 Figure 13 - Seed of Life ............................................................................................................................