NSS PROJECT REPORT
1. Recycling of air and water
2. Radiation shielding
1) recycling : Formula : m(in) = m(out) + m(stored)
a. CO2 scrubber : bacteria= cyanobacteria bioreactor
Scientifically synechococcuss ( fast growing algae) (CO2 to O2 + feed for fish)
b. Graphene based molecules filteration : Graphene based oxidifying nano
filter ( 99% purity through single pass )
Water flux : J = A∆ P
Better than reverse osmosis
c. Humidity conversion : H2O breakdown
H : for fuel , O : for breathing
Proton exchange eloctrolyser membrane
d. Mycelium base bio filter : fungal networks based
Composts dust and organic matter into agricultural zone
Self healing fungi
2). Radiation shielding : Ice shell : two walled water boundary like a sandwich
layer. Stores water for habitat + superior radiation shield unlike aluminium, lead
b. Radiotrophic fungi : radiation eater, stored between hull layers to absorb
radiation
c. Plasma magnetic shielding : magnetic field , creates bubble ionized gas
radiation protection , deflects particles
d. Electrostatic repulsion through electrostatic field : high voltage electric
current and flux ( concept of eddy current ), (+) (+) repulsion of two protons
Columbs law : F = k(q1q2)÷ r^2
The Five Lagrange Points
L1 (The Sentry): Located directly between the Sun and
Earth. Perfect for solar observatories like Aditya-L1
because it has an uninterrupted view of the Sun.
L2 (The Voyager): Located on the opposite side of the
Earth from the Sun. It’s perfect for space telescopes like
the James Webb (JWST) because it can look into the
dark universe while the Earth blocks the Sun’s glare.
L3 (The Hidden Point): Hidden behind the Sun, exactly
opposite the Earth. It is rarely used because it’s
impossible to communicate with directly from Earth.
L4 & L5 (The Trojans): These form the points of
equilateral triangles with the Sun and Earth. These are
very stable "gravity wells" that often trap space dust and
asteroids (called Trojans).
Explaining the Formula
The formula from your presentation helps determine the
distance (d) of the L1 point from the smaller body
(Earth).
Formula= R×(M2÷ 3(M1))^⅓
Gravitational Gradient: The L1 point is an unstable
equilibrium. As an object moves closer to the Sun, the
Sun's gravity increases faster than the Earth's gravity
decreases.
Centripetal Acceleration: The formula is derived by
setting the sum of the gravitational forces equal to the
centripetal force required for an object to orbit the Sun
at the same angular velocity as the Earth.
Hill Sphere: Technically, this formula calculates the
radius of the "Hill Sphere"—the region where the
smaller body's gravity dominates the orbital motion of
satellites. The 3 in the denominator (3M_1) comes from
the mathematical expansion of the gravitational
potential when assuming M_2
Space radiation consists largely of Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCRs) and Solar Particle
Events (SPEs). These are mostly high-energy protons (hydrogen nuclei).
Hydrogen-to-Hydrogen Blocking: The best way to stop a fast-moving proton is to hit
it with something of similar mass—another proton. Since water (H_2O) is rich in
hydrogen, it acts like a "cushion."
Secondary Radiation: When radiation hits heavy metals like Lead or Aluminum, it
can shatter the metal's atoms, creating "secondary radiation" (shrapnel-like
particles) that can be more dangerous than the original ray. Ice produces very little
secondary radiation.
2. Engineering the Shell
In your project, the ice shell would be designed as a structural sandwich:
Outer Hull: A thin, high-strength composite or metal layer to provide the shape and
protect the ice from sublimation (turning directly from solid to gas in the vacuum of
space).
The Ice Core: A layer roughly 1 to 3 meters thick. At the Mars-Sun L2 point, the
natural temperature is cold enough that the ice remains solid with very little energy
required for cooling.
Inner Hull: The pressurized wall where the humans live.
3. The "Dual-Purpose" Benefit (Life Support)
The biggest advantage of ice shielding is that it isn't just "dead weight." It serves
multiple roles in the habitat's closed-loop system:
Radiation Protection: Primarily blocks GCRs and SPEs.
Water Reservoir: The shell acts as the station’s strategic water reserve. If the internal
recycling system loses water, the shell can be "tapped" for drinking or oxygen
production.
Thermal Mass: The ice helps regulate the station's internal temperature, absorbing
excess heat from the fusion reactors or electronics during the day and slowly
releasing it.
4. Mathematical Comparison
To prove this is "better" than the reference project, you can use the concept of Areal
Density (g/cm^2):
Aluminum Shielding: Requires a very high mass to stop high-energy particles and
creates secondary radiation.
Water/Ice Shielding: Provides roughly double the protection of aluminum for the
same amount of mass because of its higher hydrogen density.
Summary for your Project:
By proposing an Ice Shell, you are solving three problems at once: you are protecting
the 10,000 residents from cancer-causing radiation, providing a massive emergency
water supply, and creating a natural thermal "battery" for the station.
Mathematical Surface Area and Volume
If you need the calculations for a perfect torus:
Surface Area: A = 4\pi^2Rr
Volume: V = 2\pi^2Rr^2
In geometry, a torus is a surface of revolution formed by revolving a circle in three-
dimensional space about an axis that is coplanar with the circle.
If you visualize a standard donut or an inner tube, that shape is a torus.
Key Characteristics
The Shape: It is a continuous surface with a hole in the middle. Unlike a sphere,
which has no holes (genus 0), a torus has exactly one hole (genus 1).
Formation: It is created by taking a circle (the "generator") and moving it along a
circular path (the "orbit").
Dimensions: It is defined by two radii:
Major Radius (R): The distance from the center of the hole to the center of the tube.
Minor Radius (r): The radius of the tube itself.
Why it is used in Space Engineering
In the context of space habitats like the one in your document, the torus is the
preferred shape for creating artificial gravity.
When a torus-shaped station spins, the centrifugal force pushes everything inside
toward the "outer" rim (the floor). Because the shape is a continuous loop, residents
can walk all the way around the ring and eventually end up back where they started,
creating a predictable and stable gravitational environment across the entire living
area.
To understand where these MW values come from, the document uses the relationship
between Energy and Power:
P (Power): Measured in Megawatts (MW).
E (Energy): Total energy used (often in Megawatt-hours).
t (Time): The duration over which the energy is used.
P=E/T
By : Samrat S Patil (9th )
NSS REPORT