Difference between revisions of "Lunar Settlement Artificial Atmosphere"

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The lunar colony will have a pressurized selection of acceptable gaseous environments. There are three main types of artificial atmospheres used in Space.
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The lunar colony will have a pressurized selection of acceptable gaseous environments. We have experimental knowledge with some artificial atmospheres,say, space stations like [[ISS]] or the [[MIR]]. Yet, we need to experiment more on the effects of long term exposition. On the Moon, the atmosphere will be made in accordance with the architecture followed. Some variables like the use of [[Air Locks]], the thickness and materials of the walls may change the gas composition, pressure and other variables.
  
We have long exposure experimental knowledge with  certain Artificial Atmospheres. On the Moon, the atmosphere will be made in accordance with the architecture followed.
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== Gas Combination ==
  
== Gas Combination Atmospheres ==
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Full oxygen Atmosphere or gas combination?. Pure [[Oxygen]] was used in the first Gemini Missions and it is a fact that oxygen will be a major by-product of the manufacturing activities on the Moon. It would be very easy to fill reasonable big spaces with Oxygen. However, in a long term exposure, pure oxygen becomes poisonous.<ref>Malina, Frank J., ed. Life Science Research and Lunar Medicine. London: A. Wheathon and Co. Ltd. 1967 pg. 3-4 </ref> A combination of one or more [[inert gases]] with Oxygen would allow normal life and proper oxygenation. An example: a mix of 80% [[Helium ]]and 20% oxygen.
  
A combination of inert(s) gases with Oxygen would allow normal life and proper oxigenation. An example: air in normal conditions: a mix of 80% nitrogen and 20% oxygen. The Moon does not have any trace of [[Nitrogen]]; therefore, this gas would be imported from Earth representing an extended payload to be transported to the Moon. <ref>Malina, Frank J., ed. Life Science Research and Lunar Medicine. London: A. Wheathon and Co. Ltd. 1967</ref>
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Nitrogen would be used on the moon as nitrates, part of the [[Plant Nutrients]]. The Moon does not have any trace of [[Nitrogen]]; therefore, this gas would be imported from Earth. It is very easy that nitrogen leaks from the solutions getting dissolved in the artificial atmosphere. An strict control has to be used to ensure the proper utilization of nitrogen. Other gas that will be present in the artificial atmosphere are CO<sub>2</sub> and H<sub>2</sub>O.
== Lower Pressure Atmospheres ==
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== Lower Pressure ==
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Plants <ref>Henninger, D. L., ed. Lunar Base Agriculture. Texas: NASA & Soil Science Society of America. ISBN 0- 89118-100-8 Introduction</ref> and Humans can live in lower pressure atmospheres properly oxygenated. The limit is clear: when the vapor  of a liquid inside equals the pressure outside, the liquid boils. Blood and other body fluids will boil if an abrupt drop of the pressure occurs.
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We would need to lower the pressure inside the buildings to lower the force applied to the walls. Also, precise atmospheric pressure controls would be needed to prevent gas leaking.
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== See Also ==
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[[Lunar Life Support Parameters]]
  
Plants <ref>Henninger, D. L., ed. Lunar Base Agriculture. Texas: NASA & Soil Science Society of America. ISBN 0-
 
89118-100-8</ref> and Humans can live in lower pressure atmospheres. Extreme low atmospheres can cause the boiling of body fluids.
 
  
 
== References ==  
 
== References ==  
 
<references/>
 
<references/>

Revision as of 14:12, 12 November 2010

The lunar colony will have a pressurized selection of acceptable gaseous environments. We have experimental knowledge with some artificial atmospheres,say, space stations like ISS or the MIR. Yet, we need to experiment more on the effects of long term exposition. On the Moon, the atmosphere will be made in accordance with the architecture followed. Some variables like the use of Air Locks, the thickness and materials of the walls may change the gas composition, pressure and other variables.

Gas Combination

Full oxygen Atmosphere or gas combination?. Pure Oxygen was used in the first Gemini Missions and it is a fact that oxygen will be a major by-product of the manufacturing activities on the Moon. It would be very easy to fill reasonable big spaces with Oxygen. However, in a long term exposure, pure oxygen becomes poisonous.[1] A combination of one or more inert gases with Oxygen would allow normal life and proper oxygenation. An example: a mix of 80% Helium and 20% oxygen.

Nitrogen would be used on the moon as nitrates, part of the Plant Nutrients. The Moon does not have any trace of Nitrogen; therefore, this gas would be imported from Earth. It is very easy that nitrogen leaks from the solutions getting dissolved in the artificial atmosphere. An strict control has to be used to ensure the proper utilization of nitrogen. Other gas that will be present in the artificial atmosphere are CO2 and H2O.

Lower Pressure

Plants [2] and Humans can live in lower pressure atmospheres properly oxygenated. The limit is clear: when the vapor of a liquid inside equals the pressure outside, the liquid boils. Blood and other body fluids will boil if an abrupt drop of the pressure occurs.

We would need to lower the pressure inside the buildings to lower the force applied to the walls. Also, precise atmospheric pressure controls would be needed to prevent gas leaking.


See Also

Lunar Life Support Parameters


References

  1. Malina, Frank J., ed. Life Science Research and Lunar Medicine. London: A. Wheathon and Co. Ltd. 1967 pg. 3-4
  2. Henninger, D. L., ed. Lunar Base Agriculture. Texas: NASA & Soil Science Society of America. ISBN 0- 89118-100-8 Introduction