Mars Base Alpha Slides
Mars Base Alpha
Engineering the Future of Space Habitats
Warm-up: Seeing the Future
Embedded media
"I can't wait to see what's in store for the future. Maybe a space station on Mars."
The Scale of the ISS
Football Field Size
The ISS is the largest man-made object in space.
27,000 km/h
That's fast enough to orbit the entire Earth 16 times in one day!
Imagine a science lab the size of a football field flying through the sky!
What does a Space Station need?
Solar Power
Giant panels collect sunlight to power the station's equipment.
Living Modules
Pressurized rooms where humans eat, sleep, and breathe.
Science Labs
Areas to conduct microgravity experiments (like floating honey!).
The Problem: Mars is Different
ISS (Orbit)
- Microgravity (Floating)
- Protected by Earth's Magnetosphere
- Can't land on a surface
Mars Base Alpha
- Partial Gravity (Needs legs/structure)
- Radiation (Needs thick shielding)
- Dust Storms (Solar panels need cleaning)
DESIGN CHALLENGE
Sketch Mars Base Alpha
- Include Solar Panels (Power)
- Include Modules (Living & Labs)
- Add Support Legs (Surface Stability)
- Label Dust/Radiation Protection
Time Remaining: 20 Minutes
Mission Report
Present
Show your schematic and explain your most important design feature.
Reflect
How did the ISS inspire your design? What is the biggest difference?
Mars Base Alpha Worksheet
Mission: Mars Base Alpha
Habitat Design Schematic
Cadet:
Date:
ISS Reference Data
- • Size: Approx. 100m (Football field)
- • Power: High-surface area solar arrays
- • Living: Pressurized airtight modules
- • Environment: Microgravity (Floating)
Mars Surface Constraints
Gravity (38% of Earth)
Station must have physical supports/legs to stand on the ground.
Atmosphere (Thin)
Extreme radiation and dust storms. Needs protective shielding.
Schematic Workspace
Scale: 1 square = 2 Meters
Design Checklist
- Solar Power Array
- Crew Modules (Living)
- Lab Module (Science)
- Support Legs/Foundation
- Dust/Radiation Shielding
Technical Justification
Explain the engineering choices for Mars Base Alpha.
1. Adapting from the ISS: Which feature did you borrow from the International Space Station, and how did you change it for Mars?
2. The Dust Factor: Mars has intense dust storms. How does your design protect the solar panels or modules from red dust buildup?
3. Life on Mars: The ISS is in microgravity (floating), but Mars has gravity. How did this affect the way you arranged your modules?
Bonus: Communication Link
How will your base talk to Mission Control on Earth? Sketch or describe a communication dish below.
End of Mission Report // Authorized for Public Distribution
