Virtual Planetary Exploration
3D Interactive Exploration Tools for Space Missions
Summary
This project consisted of developing 3D interactive tools that future explorers on space missions could use. We focused on sample recollection tools because we believed that samples have so much information about a place that can be really useful.The first thing we did was deep research on spacial exploration tools, using NASA database. We collected information about previous missions and about future missions. With all this information, we developed a basic exploration tool kit for astronauts. These tools were specially designed to fulfill specific requirements. After designing our 3D tools, we gathered the characteristics and created a public website for its easy access.
How We Addressed This Challenge
We developed a basic kit of exploration tools for astronatus to use on their missions. The exploration tools specific task is to make easier the job of recollecting samples. Recollecting samples is very important in order to gather information about a certain place, for example the Moon or other planets. Each tool was specially designed to fullfill these restrictions:
a. Guarantee the safety of the astronatus by avoiding sharp edges.
b. Easy to use and be carried out with and astronaut suit.
c. Easy to be cleaned to diminish contamination.
The tool kit we prepared, was based of the tools designed for Apolo Mission and Artemis Mission. Our kit contains:
1.. Hammer
2.. Rake
3.. Wrench
4.. Scoop
5.. Shovel
6.. Screwdriver
How We Developed This Project
We felt really inspired to choose this challenge because all our team members have highly developed CAD skills and feel passionate about these topic. We felt it was a great opportunity to test our skills, learn more about spacial missions and get involved in a high impact challenge.When we developed this project we were looking to change how spacial explorations tools were designed by following 3 basic requirements:
Tools must:
1- Fullfill their task effectively
2- Ensure the protection of the astronaut by avoiding designs with sharp edges.
3- Be easy to use and carry around in space suit.
The software used for this project were:
a- SolidWorks
b- Autocad Inventor
In our team it was very difficult to agree on one idea, while we were brainstorming the tools everyone had different ideas and they were all good so it became hard to agree on certain ideas.
We achieved a lot of organization and great teamwork.
How We Used Space Agency Data in This Project
In order to come to our first ideas and sketches of tools, we first did some research on space exploration tools. We first reviewed the previous version of space tools that were manufactured por space missions. Then we searched for space tools that might be needed of future space missions. This investigation strongly influenced our project, because all our ideas were based of the research that we did on these resources.
Project Demo
As our solution was required to be shared as a webpage, the provided link is our website link:
Data & Resources
The resources that were the most useful for our project were:
a. CATALOG OF APOLLO LUNAR SURFACE GEOLOGICAL SAMPLING TOOLS AND CONTAINERS
b. ARTEMIS GEOGLOGY TOOLS
c. NASA 3D RESOURCES