{"schema":"BUIDL","d":{"id":9386,"members":[{"hackerId":153814,"projectMemberId":14185,"avatar":"https://cdn.dorahacks.io/images/hacker-avatar/1.jpg","name":"Palak_Meena75","handle":"U_6fc1dc521f71ac","email":"***@***","status":"pending","role":3,"title":null,"introduction":null},{"hackerId":126708,"projectMemberId":8828,"avatar":"https://cdn.dorahacks.io/images/hacker-avatar/1.jpg","name":"paychan140108","handle":"paychan","email":"***@***","status":"pending","role":3,"title":null,"introduction":null}],"pictures":["https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/18d528b490a567ccd2a07704cb995784.png"],"roundProjects":[],"hackathonProjects":[{"id":10234,"hackathon":{"id":205,"tabSet":[{"id":379,"name":"Use Cases","slug":"use-cases","description":"# *List of Use Cases and Open Challenges*\n***(Click on each use case or open challenge on the left to read more details.)***\n- Use Case 1 - Delivery of Water to the Lunar Surface\n- Use Case 2 - Space-based Farming\n- Use Case 3 - Orbital Hotel\n- Use Case 4 - Artifact Collection\n- Use Case 5 - Orbital Fireworks\n- Use Case 6 - Planetary Defense System\n- Use Case 7 - Space Debris Cleanup\n- Use Case 8 - Collision Avoidance for Immobile Objects\n- Use Case 9 - Satellite Secure Digital ID\n- Use Case 10 - Add-on Passive Deorbit Hardware\n- Use Case 11 - LIDAR Constellation\n- Use Case 12 - Routers for Global Internet of Things\n- Use Case 13 - Buried Among The Stars\n- Use Case 14 - Climate Engineering the Easy Way\n- Use Case 15 - Metals from the Moon\n- Use Case 16 - Orbital Lab Bench\n- Use Case 17 - Storage of Sensitive Data in Space\n- Use Case 18 - Preserve the ISS\n- Use Case 19 - Power Generation\n- Use Case 20 - Ice Mining\n- Use Case 21 - Propellant Production\n- Use Case 22 - Long-duration Life Support\n- Use Case 23 - Construction/ Development\n- Use Case 24 - Are We There Yet?\n- Open Challenge 1 - Novel Satellite Constellations\n- Open Challenge 2 - Recreation Facilities for Space Hotel\n\n# Use Case 1 - Delivery of Water to the Lunar Surface\n\n- **Background**\n \n The challenge of delivering water to the lunar surface is complex, primarily due to potential resource limitations and a strong focus on lunar water prospecting. At present, there are no companies attempting direct water transport to the Moon. Instead, the focus is on identifying and extracting water resources already present on the lunar surface. NASA's lunar rover, VIPER, is scheduled for a November 2024 deployment, where it will spend 100 days exploring for water ice on the Moon's surface. Several companies are also contributing to lunar exploration and water prospecting like Astrobotics and Honeybee Robotics, etc. A critical aspect of this challenge is the potential presence of water in the Moon's polar regions, estimated in the millions of tons. However, extracting water from lunar regolith poses significant technical and logistical challenges. Recent measurements by SOFIA in 2020 indicate relatively low water concentrations in lunar regolith, below one part per thousand. To obtain substantial quantities of water, extensive lunar regolith mining would be required, making it a resource-intensive process.\n \n- **Task Description**\n \n Human occupation of the moon for long periods of time will require significant amounts of water. Two main uses of water are for human use (drinking, bathing, and perhaps crop growth) and for rocket fuel (conversion into LH2 and LOx via hydrolysis). For the hackathon, teams should design an internal payload structure to carry 100 tonnes of water + structure into orbit and to land this on the Moon. Participants might consider aspects such as how to fill/drain the water in zero or low gravity, how to prevent freezing in space, and whether the structure should be reusable for cycling water from Earth to Moon or find alternate uses for the structure remaining on the Lunar surface.\n \n# Use Case 2 - Space-based Farming\n\n- **Background**\n \n Efforts to advance space agriculture are underway. Significant progress in space farming includes Sierra Space's Veggie and Advanced Plant Habitat systems on the ISS. The German Aerospace Center tests automated greenhouse tech, while the Orbital Farm project simulates space conditions. Aleph Farms achieved cultivated meat in space, and Redwire develops a commercial space greenhouse. Interstellar Labs' BioPod offers Earth-based advanced farming, with a space version in progress. These endeavors advance space farming for sustainable food production.\n \n- **Task Description**\n \n If humans are to colonize the Moon and Mars, learning how to grow a variety of crops in space will be essential. Starship, with a payload volume greater than the enclosed volume of the entire International Space Station, offers a new capability to pursue such studies. The hackathon challenge is to design an autonomous orbital greenhouse where crop growth research can be carried out. The module would have to have the ability to provide power, attitude control, water/fertilizer maintenance, and monitoring/observation/control of the crops. Designers could also incorporate more advanced elements such as crop-tending robots, rotational artificial gravity, harvesting/replanting devices, or other ideas.\n \n# Use Case 3 - Orbital Hotel\n\n- **Background**\n \n Several companies are pioneering orbital facilities, with aspirations of creating orbital hotels. Blue Origin's Orbital Reef, a collaboration with Sierra Space, comparable in size to the ISS, can host up to ten occupants, providing living quarters, labs, and amenities. Axiom Space, committed to constructing the first commercial space station, intends to separate from the ISS by late 2028. Above Space presents the Pioneer Station, featuring hybrid gravity, and the Voyager Station with simulated gravity, projected to be operational by 2025 and the decade's end, respectively. Bigelow Aerospace is renowned for its expandable space modules and proposals for autonomous space stations, primarily using the B330 module. Sierra Space introduces the Life Habitat, accommodating 4-12 occupants and incorporating orbital farming. Lockheed Martin is pioneering inflatable habitat/storage modules, albeit still in the early stages of design.\n \n- **Task Description**\n \n If Starship launch costs become as inexpensive as SpaceX claims, space tourism may grow viable. Hackathon participants are challenged to design a modular hotel comprised of elements launched by Starship. The Orbital Hotel can use up to 24 launches to build all the required components, but each launch must use one of no more than four difference assemblies to allow for modularity in production on Earth. What are the modules your Orbital Hotel needs, and how are they connected? How many guests can it accommodate, and for how long? What activities can the guests engage in while in space?\n \n# Use Case 4 - Artifact Collection\n\n- **Background**\n \n Currently, there is no company known to be engaged in the mission of retrieving spacecraft to Earth.\n \n- **Task Description**\n \n An anonymous benefactor has decided to open a Museum of Space Artifacts. This museum is intended to show case actual spacecraft that have been recovered from orbit and returned to Earth. Among the desired targets are TIROS-1 (the first weather satellite, in a low Earth orbit), LANDSAT-1 (an early Earth imagining satellite, in a polar Sun-synchronous orbit), and eventually the Hubble Space Telescope (NASA’s premier space observatory for most of the last three decades). Your challenge is to design a special version of Starship with a modified payload bay and avionics to allow the spacecraft to maneuver to any of the targets, grapple it, latch it into place, and return it to Earth. Given the mass of some of these objects (Hubble is over 10 tonnes), particular attention must be paid to how to hold such precious cargo during the rigors of descent into gravity, and to the required fuel necessary to land with them intact.\n \n# Use Case 5 - Orbital Fireworks\n\n- **Background**\n \n Currently, only one company, Astro Live Experiences through its project SKY CANVAS, is working on a human-made shooting star. They release meteor particles from satellites, creating a dazzling light show in the sky at designated locations worldwide.\n \n- **Task Description**\n \n As a new means of celebration, Starship can now provide you with an orbital fireworks display! A special payload module launched on Starship will carry up to 100 tonnes of glass beads. The module can be commanded to re-enter at a specific place and time, burning up in the atmosphere in a brilliant display of fireworks resembling shooting starts. Your hackathon task is to design this module so that it can carry the beads and deploy them where they’re desired. Clever module design could include the ability to separate and provide multiple re-entries, or to use different sizes of beads to burn up at different altitudes, or any other idea you can think of to increase the appeal of the display!\n \n# Use Case 6 - Planetary Defense System\n\n- **Background**\n \n NASA's DART demonstrated planetary defense by successfully impacting the asteroid moonlet Dimorphos, using kinetic impact to deflect it. DART aimed to alter the orbit of Dimorphos, which orbits the larger asteroid Didymos, with no threat to Earth.\n\n Regarding Starship's potential in planetary defense:\n\n - Kinetic Impactor: Starship could act as a high-speed kinetic impactor, using its propulsion to collide with a NEO and alter its orbit, preventing Earth impact.\n - Nuclear Explosive Device: For larger NEOs, Starship could carry a nuclear device, detonating it near the object's surface to divert its trajectory or destroy it.\n - Asteroid Propulsion System: A smaller NEO might have a mass of around a million tons. A propulsion system that can, over time, provide a sufficient thrust will eventually be able to shift the orbit of the NEO enough to avoid threatening the Earth.\n \n- **Task Description**\n \n Imagine a future in 2030 when NASA's NEO Surveyor telescope discovers a potentially hazardous asteroid that will threaten the Earth in 2035. With an estimated diameter of 80m, it has a kinetic energy 100 times that of the Chelyabinsk meteor that exploded over Russia in 2013. This would mean the new threat would be the equivalent of 50 megatons of TNT, bigger than the 1908 Tunguska event. Fortunately, a planetary defense system is promptly deployed to deal with the threat, preventing a potentially catastrophic impact.\n\n Your challenge is to design a planetary defense system using the Starship. This could take the form of the Starship itself, suitably loaded with a heavy payload, to be used as a kinetic impactor: its collision with the asteroid would deflect its trajectory. It could take the form of a propulsion system that attaches to the asteroid and slowly pushes it in a controlled way. It could take the form of a nuclear explosive device delivered to the asteroid's surface, using the explosive energy and ejecta from the asteroid's surface to create an impulse that pushes it out of our path.\n\n This system must take into account that there is a need for a 'cruise phase' where Starship or its payload would need to move into an orbit that approaches the potentially hazardous asteroid within only a few years. A good solution would be able to handle a wide range of possible asteroid orbits (for instance, including asteroids in the near-Earth families Apollo, Atira, Aten, and Amor). Since the total time to impacting the Earth is fixed, a good solution would allow for an optimum trajectory so that the time for the planetary defense spacecraft to reach the asteroid would leave the best amount of time for its deflection to have a significant effect. This challenge will require some amount of orbital mechanics calculations to demonstrate feasibility.\n\n **Technical Aspects to Consider are as below.**\n \n **Kinetic Impactor Approach**\n - Collision Precision: How can Starship be precisely navigated to collide with the incoming NEO with high accuracy?\n - Trajectory Planning: What trajectory planning and adjustment systems are needed to ensure that Starship hits the target NEO at the right angle and velocity?\n - Deflection Robustness: Since the precise effect of the kinetic impactor is difficult to predict, the change in the asteroid's orbit will have a range of possible outcomes; how can the impactor be used to ensure that the outcome is guaranteed to result in the astroid being deflected enough that it does not threaten the Earth?\n - Onboard Propulsion: How will Starship's onboard propulsion be optimized for a high-speed kinetic impact, and what is the required thrust level?\n - Collision Energy: How can the kinetic energy generated by Starship's impact be calculated and controlled to alter the NEO's orbit adequately?\n - Multiple Impactors: For larger or more massive NEOs, what strategies are needed for deploying and coordinating multiple impactor Starships?\n - Collision Timing: What is the critical timing required to initiate the collision, and how can it be synchronized with the NEO's approach to Earth?\n \n **Nuclear Explosive Device Approach**\n - Device Delivery: How can Starship safely and accurately deliver a high-yield nuclear explosive device near the surface of the threatening NEO?\n - Device Safety: What safety measures and fail-safes need to be in place to prevent premature detonation or accidental damage to Starship?\n - Detonation Energy: How will the energy released by the nuclear blast be calculated and controlled to divert the NEO's trajectory effectively?\n - Deflection Robustness: Since the precise effect of the explosion is difficult to predict, the change in the asteroid's orbit will have a range of possible outcomes; how can the nuclear device be used to ensure that the outcome is guaranteed to result in the astroid being deflected enough that it does not threaten the Earth?\n - Debris Management: What strategies are needed to manage potential debris and fragments resulting from the detonation?\n - Legal and Ethical Considerations: What regulatory approvals and international agreements are required for deploying a nuclear explosive device in space?\n - Radiation Effects: How will the detonation of a nuclear device in space affect nearby spacecraft, including Starship itself?\n\n **Propulsion System Approach**\n - System Deployment: How can Starship be precisely navigated to arrive at the asteroid and deploy a propulsion system that secures to the asteroid well enough to act as a thruster to change its orbit?\n - Trajectory Planning: Given that the asteroid will be tumbling in an uncontrolled (although measurable) manner, what propulsion system operation would be needed to ensure that the NEO can be moved consistently to a new orbit?\n - Propulsion Performance: How can the thrust generated by the propulsion system be calculated and controlled to alter the NEO's orbit adequately?\n - Propulsion Technology: What is the optimal choice of propulsion technology, given the need to turn on and off and potentially to operate over years?\n \n **General Considerations**\n - Mission Planning and Risk Assessment: What mission planning processes will be used to assess the risks, benefits, and potential consequences of each planetary defense approach?\n - Spacecraft Modifications: What specific modifications or design enhancements are needed to adapt Starship for planetary defense missions?\n - Remote Operation: How can these missions be remotely operated and controlled to minimize risks to human operators?\n - Data and Observation: What sensors and data collection methods will be used to monitor the NEO and assess mission success?\n \n# Use Case 7 - Space Debris Cleanup\n\n- **Background**\n \n Several initiatives are taking significant steps to address the growing issue of space debris. ClearSpace, commissioned by ESA, is working on ClearSpace-1, a mission aiming to capture and safely dispose of large space debris by 2026. Meanwhile, the UK's CLEAR Mission is making progress through crucial reviews. Astroscale is actively engaged in addressing this challenge with its ADRAS-J mission, selected by JAXA, which focuses on data acquisition from an upper-stage rocket body scheduled for JFY 2023. Additionally, Astroscale is collaborating with the UK Space Agency on the COSMIC project, designed to remove defunct satellites from Low Earth Orbit (LEO). This endeavor involves the inspection of debris and secure capture techniques. Obruta Space Solutions offers a streamlined solution, the RPOD Kit, which simplifies on-orbit services, including debris removal. CisLunar Industries is developing a Modular Space Foundry, a technology aimed at recycling metallic space debris. These initiatives are at the forefront of tackling space debris issues and contributing to the sustainability of activities in Earth's orbital space.\n \n- **Task Description**\n \n Robotic space vehicles equipped with navigation and attitude control systems can be used to approach, rendezvous, and grab debris from congested orbital regions. Your hackathon task is to work through the technical challenges to optimize the use of fuel, number of objects captured, mass of objects captured, and range of possible object size/mass. At the end of life, enough fuel would have to remain to place the space vehicle and its cargo into a parking orbit or to burn up in reentry. Clever solutions would include the ability to transfer the debris to an orbital facility for recycling materials.\n \n# Use Case 8 - Collision Avoidance for Immobile Objects\n\n- **Background**\n \n There are companies that are currently working on space situational awareness and collision risk assessment, such as ComSpoc. They use a network of commercial sensors to collect data and turn it into useful information. \n \n- **Task Description**\n \n As certain orbits become more congested, the likelihood of collisions increases. Conjunction analyses are already routinely done for the tens of thousands of objects in Earth orbits, and vehicles with the ability to adjust their orbits move to reduce their collision risk. But what about spacecraft without thrusters, or defunct spacecraft that cannot move? Your hackathon challenge is to design a small spacecraft that would carry efficient thrusters to allow it to adjust its orbit to match an immobile object, grapple with it, and give it a gentle push to move it out of harm's way (or out of the way of harming others). Clever solutions could include the ability to move the immobile spacecraft to parking orbits, recycling facilities, or to re-enter for disposal.\n \n# Use Case 9 - Satellite Secure Digital ID\n\n- **Background**\n \n The digital age has witnessed significant advancements in secure digital identification, including biometric authentication systems and blockchain-based identity platforms. However, secure digital ID through satellites is one area that remains relatively unexplored. The \"Satellite Secure Digital ID\" use case within the Starship project aims to bridge this gap by exploring innovative solutions that leverage satellite capabilities to enhance secure digital identification, ushering in a new era of identity management.\n \n- **Task Description**\n \n A trusted digital ID is a set of attributes (like verified ID documents or biometrics) that provide a certifiable link between an individual and their digital identity. Terrestrial networks are at risk for hacking, spoofing, and interception. Is there a better architecture that could be achieved in space? A network of satellites that store a secure digital ID could be made more robust. Users would communicate directly with the spacecraft, which would respond in a point-to-point way to provide tamper-proof certification. Your hackathon challenge is to develop a workable concept for such a network of satellites, and to think through all the ways it could improve over terrestrial secure networks.\n \n# Use Case 10 - Add-on Passive Deorbit Hardware\n\n- **Background**\n \n Several organizations are developing drag augmentation technologies to expedite the atmospheric reentry of retired satellites, a process that typically spans several years. The University of Surrey's Space Center introduced InflateSail, an inflatable drag sail, designed to facilitate satellite deorbiting upon mission completion. InflateSail enhances reentry by increasing a satellite's frontal area, thus promoting efficient momentum transfer to Earth's thermosphere. This approach mitigates orbital debris and ensures the protection of space operations. Cranfield University offers a family of Drag Augmentation Systems (DAS), providing lightweight and cost-effective solutions for small satellite deorbiting. These dependable and practical sails contribute to responsible space usage by supporting satellite deorbit missions. Meanwhile, the Space Flight Laboratory at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies demonstrated the effectiveness of drag-sail-based deorbiting through the CanX-7 mission. Launched in May 2017, CanX-7 successfully deployed four 1-square-meter drag sails, adhering to space debris mitigation guidelines. These advancements lay the groundwork for the Add-on Passive Deorbit Hardware use case, inviting innovative solutions to further advance satellite deorbiting technologies.\n \n- **Task Description**\n \n International norms specify a 25-year lifetime for satellites in low-Earth orbits. Many spacecraft do not have systems to enable them to deorbit in this time, or may become inactive and unable to use such systems. A spacecraft can deorbit more quickly with a passive system that increases atmospheric drag, akin to a parachute. Your hackathon task is to design a spacecraft that can approach another spacecraft and add a passive deorbit system to it. The desired performance is to be able to attach something that could enable spacecraft of a wide range of sizes/masses to deorbit within 25 years from a variety of altitudes. Clever designs might increase the range of spacecraft or orbits that can be accommodated, or which could enable multiple spacecraft to be deorbited with one servicing spacecraft.\n \n# Use Case 11 - LIDAR Constellation\n\n- **Background**\n \n Ground-based LIDAR technology has improved greatly in recent years for drone, automotive, and airborne platforms. Space-based LIDAR can be used in concert with imaging to produce 3D maps of cloud density. These measurements can be done at all times of day, permitting near-real-time monitoring of clouds. With a constellation fo spacecraft, a synoptic view of clouds over a wide area could be provided to customers. Space-based LIDAR can also be used to measure the Earth's surface, distinguishing between tree canopies, soil surface, and even underwater surfaces in shallow waters. \n \n- **Task Description**\n \n What new services could be provided by regular measurements showing the changing profile of areas as reservoirs are drained, trees felled, waters polluted, or buildings constructed? What constellation concept could provide these measurements frequently and broadly across the Earth’s surface? What design of a space-based LIDAR instrument could provide high spatial resolution, good vertical resolution, and good separation of canopies/surface/underwater features? \n \n# Use Case 12 - Routers for Global Internet of Things\n\n- **Background**\n \n As more and more smart devices come to market, these will need wireless communication to reach their full potential in connectivity to users and other devices. In the home or at work, this is straightforward with a central wifi system. However, devices that are farther from people (things like agricultural sensors, weather stations, or autonomous vehicles on land or at sea) may be far from even cellular towers. Satellite communications are optimized for low-latency, high-bandwidth communications that people value. A global Internet of Things could use a network of communications capabilities with relaxed latency and bandwidth but with a high user count. Cell towers and Starlink satellites can serve roughly 1000 customers. From LEO, a single satellite can see over a million square miles, and so could potentially communicate with orders of magnitude more devices. \n \n- **Task Description**\n \n Overall, the question is this: How could you develop a satellite network and a communication protocol to enable a single satellite in a constellation to serve a million devices? What about 100 million devices? The challenge is to develop a concept for all or part of a system that permits very large numbers of low-bandwidth devices to communicate via a space-based router system. An aspect of this challenge is to consider the RF linking protocol(s) that would permit connection of many thousands of devices all sharing the same frequency band. Another aspect is to consider how to design small spacecraft for LEO operation that would be able to communicate with such a large number of devices using modest electrical power and plausible antennas. A good solution would also consider ways in which the routers could exchange high speed, low latency data between each other to bring them to downlink sites. \n \n# Use Case 13 - Buried Among The Stars\n\n- **Background**\n \n Many of us will remember Spock's burial in space at the emotion-filled end of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. While there is a nascent market for sending cremated human remains into space where they quickly re-enter and burn up, the advent of Starship could allow for a true burial in space, à la Spock. A properly-encapsulated body could be placed into a high enough orbit that it would remain in orbit for aeons. At altitudes above roughly 1000km, orbital lifetimes are centuries to millennia or beyond, and these orbital regions are seldom used by active satellites. \n \n- **Task Description**\n \n Your challenge is to consider how best to encapsulate a body to remain intact for thousands of years in a space environment, and to work out the logistics of getting hundreds of such containers into a parking orbit where they would be deployed and spaced apart. Family members would receive an ephemeris where the dearly departed could be spotted. A more appealing container could be designed to reflect as much sunlight as possible, enable it to be visible from the ground at night. This legacy could last for centuries, being one of the longest-lasting resting places possible.\n \n\n# Use Case 14 - Climate Engineering the Easy Way\n\n- **Background**\n \n Climate change is considered by many to be the greatest challenge humanity faces. Although nations have made commitments to limit greenhouse gas emissions, all current trends imply significant climate change leading to catastrophic impacts to people and the biosphere. The transition to a carbon-neutral economy relies not only on the widespread adoption of technologies that aren't yet ready for worldwide deployment, such as grid-scale power storage, but on carbon removal from the atmosphere using technologies that haven't even been demonstrated beyond the experimental stage. Yet there are other possibilities out there, including one that was proposed by Hermann Oberth a hundred years ago. If sunlight can be blocked above the atmosphere, the total radiation balance of the Earth can be shifted. \n \n- **Task Description**\n \n Using Starship, your challenge is to design the best payload to provide a shading to our planet. The payload would need to be able to cast a shadow covering the equivalent of at least 16,000 square kilometers (which would block 0.01% of the Sun's light). This could be one giant deployable membrane, a trillion tiny mirrors, or anything in between. How easily this can be deployed and maintained is important to consider. A large membrane would need to be constantly oriented to maximize the sunlight it reflects. The altitude that the reflecting materials are deployed to affects the orbital lifetime and therefore how long the cooling effect would last. And the problem of creating orbital debris needs to be considered. A very clever solution could be a material which would slowly disintegrate in the hard ultraviolet illumination from the Sun.\n \n# Use Case 15 - Metals from the Moon\n\n- **Background**\n \n The lunar regolith is mostly silicate minerals plagioclase, pyroxene, and olivine. However, there are substantial amounts of iron and aluminum in these; the total concentration is roughly 30% (those with more iron having less aluminum and vice versa). \n \n- **Task Description**\n \n The challenge is to design a processing plant that could be carried to the Moon by Starship in only a few flights, and which could then autonomously process regolith into technically useful metals. At a minimum, one of either Iron or Aluminum should be extracted. Ideally, both metals plus Magnesium would be separated and stored. Residual slag of Silicon and Oxygen could be disposed of or find other uses. \n \n# **Use Case 16 - Orbital Lab Bench**\n\n- **Background**\n\n Lots of space startups are trying to build new technologies to use in space. They may benefit from a low-threshold incubator enabled by Starship. The Orbital Lab Bench would be a modular setup where companies could rent a portion of the overall volume and put whatever they want to demonstrate into a dedicated research cargo space. Some of these could have windows (for instance, if you want to try out a hyperspectral imager for a CubeSat). Some could have very robust cases (so if you are developing an ion propulsion system, you could fire it in a contained space). Some could contain specialized temperature controls (so if you wanted to run biology experiments or run a trial of producing medicines or the like). \n\n- **Task Description**\n\n The challenge would focus on the affordability and flexibility of payloads the Orbital Lab Bench facility could accommodate. What kinds of modular spaces would be possible in a Starship payload? What support functions could you provides for various kinds of experiments? If you have optimizations for life science research, plant growth systems, human habitat systems, propulsion systems, material processing systems, or other novel space flight hardware or research, how would your Orbital Lab Bench facility provide support for those customers? \n\n# **Use Case 17 - Storage of Sensitive Data in Space**\n\n- **Background**\n\n NASA, alongside Lonestar and the Isle of Man, is pioneering blockchain-verified data storage on the Moon, using \"data cubes\" set to launch in February 2024 and authenticate future Moon landings. The Artemis missions, including Artemis 2 and 3, play a pivotal role in this endeavor. Lonestar and the Isle of Man are developing sustainable lunar data storage solutions using blockchain-verified \"digital franking\" stamps. This technology could allow future Moon visitors to validate their presence. However, for the purpose of space data storage, considering cost-effectiveness and scalability, satellite constellations emerge as a compelling alternative.\n\n- **Task Description**\n\n Space-based data storage using satellites and blockchain technology offers secure and tamper-proof storage but faces challenges like radiation, high launch costs, limited launch opportunities, and the need for data accessibility. Your task is to design a Starship-enabled space data storage system that includes proposing satellite constellation details, implementing blockchain for data security, ensuring data integrity and protection, describing Starship deployment for the constellation, developing a budget-friendly approach, optimizing launch scheduling, and explaining user data access methods. Create a feasible, secure, and cost-effective space data storage solution.\n\n# **Use Case 18 - Preserve the ISS**\n\n- **Background**\n\n Currently slated to be retired in 2030, there has recently been some pressure to consider keeping the aging facility going. One aspect of this is to be able to boost its orbit to keep it from decaying. Starship could carry up a propulsion module that would be able to lift the million-pound facility, perhaps slowly over time as a maintenance rather than a one-time boost. Lifting it to a substantially higher orbit would have a commensurate decrease in all other cargo deliveries, so the challenge would have to consider how to keep the ISS in orbits accessible to other launch services while maximizing its lifetime aloft.\n\n- **Task Description**\n\n The challenge is to develop a concept for how the ISS orbit could be maintained or raised using the Starship and whatever payload it could carry there. Propulsion that maintains it indefinitely at an orbit that remains accessible to existing launch vehicles is the goal; the ability to push the ISS into a graveyard orbit or to a controlled reentry would be a beneficial additional capability. What technologies would have to be developed to make this possible? What are other uses of those technologies, once developed?\n\n\n# Newly added Use Cases\nInspired by SpaceX Chief Engineer Elon Musk's talk at Starbase on Thursday, April 4, about the company’s plans to send humanity to Mars, we've added more use cases. If you're interested in the full talk, click [here](https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1776669097490776563).\n\n![Screen Shot 2024-04-08 at 15.07.10.png](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/18f9a258890689d00cc80394cdbbeed6.png)\n\n# **Use Case 19 - Power Generation**\n\n- **Background**\n\n The availability of reliable power generation systems is crucial for sustainable human presence on celestial bodies like the Moon or Mars. Various power generation methods can be employed, including solar power, nuclear energy, and utilizing local resources. Additionally, effective power storage technologies, such as advanced batteries, will be crucial. Each method presents unique challenges and opportunities based on factors such as efficiency, sustainability, and adaptability to extraterrestrial environments.\n\n- **Task Description**\n\n Participants are tasked with designing a power generation system suitable for long-duration missions on the Moon or Mars. The system should incorporate power generation methods, such as solar power arrays, energy storage using batteries, nuclear reactors, or harnessing local resources like geothermal or wind energy if applicable. Considerations should include efficiency, reliability, scalability, and sustainability in extraterrestrial environments. Additionally, participants should address challenges related to power distribution, maintenance, and power storage to ensure system resilience against environmental factors such as dust storms or lunar nights.\n\n# **Use Case 20 - Ice Mining**\n\n- **Background**\n\n Ice mining on celestial bodies such as the Moon or asteroids offers valuable resources for various purposes, including propellant production, drinking water, and irrigation for agriculture, and possibly to generate oxygen for creating a breathable atmosphere. Ice deposits in permanently shadowed regions or near the poles contain water molecules crucial for sustaining human life and enabling further exploration and colonization efforts.\n\n- **Task Description**\n\n Participants are challenged to design an ice mining and processing system capable of locating, extracting, storing, transporting, and utilizing ice deposits on the Moon or other celestial bodies. The system should address the efficient extraction of water ice, its purification for drinking water, or the production of propellant for space missions. Considerations should include the development of mining techniques suitable for extraterrestrial environments, the transportation of extracted ice to processing facilities, and the utilization of extracted resources for various applications such as life support, propulsion, and agriculture. Participants should also explore innovative methods for ice extraction and processing that minimize energy consumption and environmental impact.\n\n# **Use Case 21 - Propellant Production**\n\n- **Background**\n\n The production of propellant using local resources is essential for enabling sustainable space exploration and colonization. By utilizing resources such as regolith water and atmospheric CO2 through processes like electrolysis, spacecraft can produce the propellants needed for maneuvering and transportation without relying on Earth-supplied resources.\n\n- **Task Description**\n\n Participants are tasked with designing a propellant production system capable of utilizing local resources to produce rocket propellants on celestial bodies such as the Moon or Mars. The system should integrate processes like electrolysis to extract hydrogen and oxygen from regolith water and atmospheric CO2. Considerations should include the efficiency of resource utilization, energy requirements, scalability, and compatibility with existing space infrastructure. Participants should also address challenges related to resource extraction, processing, and storage, as well as the integration of the propellant production system with spacecraft propulsion systems.\n\n# **Use Case 22 - Long-duration Life Support**\n\n- **Background**\n\n Long-duration human missions to the Moon or Mars require reliable life support systems capable of sustaining crew members for extended periods. Key aspects of life support systems include air storage and control, biomass production for food and oxygen, exercise infrastructure, thermal control, and waste collection and recycling.\n\n- **Task Description**\n\n Participants are challenged to design an advanced life support system capable of sustaining human habitation on the Moon or Mars for extended durations. The system should address some aspects of life support, such as air storage and control to maintain breathable atmosphere compositions, biomass production for food and oxygen generation, facilities to permit a range of exercise in low gravity, thermal control to regulate habitat temperatures, and waste collection and recycling to minimize resource waste. Considerations should include system efficiency, reliability, scalability, and adaptability to extraterrestrial environments. Participants should also explore innovative technologies and integration approaches to optimize life support system performance and minimize resource consumption.\n\n# **Use Case 23 - Construction/ Development**\n\n- **Background**\n\n Establishing infrastructure on celestial bodies like the Moon or Mars requires advanced construction and development capabilities. Key infrastructure elements include landing pads for spacecraft, habitats for crew members, greenhouses for agriculture, manufacturing facilities, and roads for transportation.\n\n- **Task Description**\n\n Participants are tasked with designing an integrated construction and development plan for establishing physical infrastructure on the Moon or Mars. The plan should include the design and construction of essential infrastructure elements such as landing pads, habitats, greenhouses, manufacturing facilities, and transportation networks. Considerations should include construction methods suitable for extraterrestrial environments, resource utilization efficiency, sustainability, and adaptability to future expansion and development. Special adaptation for the different environments (i.e, radiation shielding of habitats on the Moon; dust storm resistance for facilities on Mars) should be factored in as needed. Participants should also address challenges related to material selection, construction techniques, and infrastructure maintenance in harsh planetary environments.\n\n# **Use Case 24 - Are We There Yet?**\n\n- **Background**\n\n SpaceX has presented a [concept](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_Mars_Colonization_Program#:~:text=The%20program%20aims%20to%20send,occurring%20between%202020%20and%202037) for using a fleet of Starship spacecraft to carry colonists to Mars. The one-way travel time could be between 3 and 5 months, meaning people would have to be able not just to survive but to thrive in order to be prepared for the landing on Mars. While life support systems can regulate temperature and oxygen, keeping people in good mental and physical condition also needs attention.\n\n- **Task Description**\n\n Participants are challenged to design one or more aspects of a system capable not just of sustaining human life, but human health, for up to five months in zero gravity. This can include facilities or equipment that will allow for a full range of exercise in the absence of gravity, running the span from load-bearing exercise to wellness and relaxation techniques. Radiation can be a significant hazard, and shielding either through thoughtfully designed mass or through more exotic approaches (layers of plasma shielding, or a large magnetic field) could protect Mars-bound astronauts. Mental health could benefit from AI systems designed to monitor each voyager’s mood and adjust stimuli, tasks, or entertainment in order to maintain equanimity. Participants may also explore innovative technologies and approaches to optimize overall human well-being while in space.\n\n# **Open Challenge 1 - Novel Satellite Constellations**\n\n- **Background**\n \n The cargo version of Starship will be able to launch entire satellite constellations in a single launch inside its payload bay. For perspective, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 can carry up to 60 Starlink satellites in a tight configuration inside its 5.2-meter diameter fairing, Starship will be able to carry 400 Starlink satellites to deploy in a single launch inside its fairing. Starship will be capable of deploying giant spacecraft to space inside its clamshell-like fairing, which has an outer diameter of 9-meters –“the largest usable payload volume of any current or in development launcher,” the company says. SpaceX also plans to design an extended Starship volume capability for payloads requiring up to 22-meters of height.\n \n- **Task Description**\n \n Unleash your creativity and innovation in this open challenge! Design novel satellite constellations leveraging Starship's remarkable lift capacity and cost-efficient launches. Imagine any use case and build satellite constellations tailored to your vision.\n\n# **Open Challenge 2 - Recreation Facilities for Space Hotel**\n\n- **Background**\n\n When envisioning a space hotel to cater to the basic needs of future space tourists, there's room for creative recreation facilities that can enhance their experience. For instance, ever wondered how to make **a zero-gravity swimming pool** work? A cylinder that spins slowly would have enough artificial gravity to hold the water around the outside, and so there would be air down the center for breathing. Swimming laps of spirals in very low gravity could be fun! Furthermore, consider **an orbital sensory deprivation chamber**. It might be even more effective than one on earth. A small cabin that can be darkened and made sufficiently quiet, with warm air and no gravity, would be almost perfect. \n \n- **Task Description**\n\n In Use Case 3 - Orbital Hotel, we invite hackers to craft a modular space hotel. However, in this open challenge, we encourage you to use your imagination to propose additional recreational and entertainment activities you envision for the hotel, much like the concepts outlined in the background section. Please provide a comprehensive solution with the engineering details."},{"id":380,"name":"Hacker Resources","slug":"hacker-resources","description":"# Orbital calculators\n- Earth orbits - https://www.omnicalculator.com/physics/earth-orbit\n- Calculate rocket change in velocity (delta-v) – https://www.omnicalculator.com/physics/delta-v\n- Escape velocity – https://www.omnicalculator.com/physics/escape-velocity\n- Hohmann transfer calculator – https://www.omnicalculator.com/physics/hohmann-transfer\n- Orbit transfer calculator – https://www.satsig.net/orbit-research/delta-v-geo-injection-calculator.htm\n- Orbital decay calculator – http://www.lizard-tail.com/isana/lab/orbital_decay/\n- GitHub's list of orbital mechanics codes: https://github.com/topics/orbital-mechanics\n\n# RF Communication calculators\n- Link budget – https://www.satsig.net/linkbugt.htm\n- Communication terminal primer – https://www.satsig.net/vsat_top.htm\n- Satellite ground track visualizer – https://observablehq.com/@jake-low/satellite-ground-track-visualizer\n- Earth coverage by satellite – https://www.analyzemath.com/Geometry_calculators/earth-coverage-by-satellites.html or https://faculty.nps.edu/awashburn/Files/Notes/EARTHCOV.pdf\n- Visible surface of a sphere – http://www.neoprogrammics.com/spheres/visible_fraction_of_surface.php\n- Optimal coverings of a sphere (spherical covering problem, like the Tammes problem) – http://neilsloane.com/packings/ and https://math.stackexchange.com/questions/4580272/covering-the-surface-of-a-sphere-with-circles-with-least-overlap or https://mathoverflow.net/questions/435078/minimal-overlap-required-to-cover-a-sphere-with-caps-is-greater-than-expected-fo\n- Some Massive MIMO satellite communications papers: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2002.08148.pdf, https://arxiv.org/pdf/2008.05343.pdf, https://repository.gatech.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/48324eef-920b-4346-a327-ebaca92a9ba5/content\n\n# Resources for the design of CubeSats and SmallSats\n- CubeSat resources: https://www.cubesat.org/cubesatinfo\n- GlobalSpec: https://insights.globalspec.com/article/11912/how-to-develop-a-cubesat-from-concept-to-earth-orbit\n- New Space Economy: https://newspaceeconomy.ca/2023/05/29/cubesat-design-basics-small-satellites-with-big-potential/\n- https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/9/15/3110\n- MatLab resources: https://www.mathworks.com/help/aeroblks/model-and-simulate-cubesats.html\n- Simulation-to-Flight: http://www.stf1.com/simulation.php\n- NASA's SmallSat resources: https://www.nasa.gov/smallsat-institute/space-mission-design-tools/\n- NASA's SmallSat simulator on GitHub: https://github.com/nasa/nos3\n\n# Miscellaneous calculators of interest\n- A great resource for calculating the motion of things in space: Kerbal Space Program - https://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com\n- Artificial gravity calculator – https://nexusaurora.org/calculators/rotational-gravity/\n- Habitat quick calculator – https://nexusaurora.org/calculators/habitat-designer/\n- “Large Constellations of Low-Altitude Satellites: A Primer” – https://www.cbo.gov/publication/59175\n- Satellite attitude control tool “42” on GitHub: https://github.com/ericstoneking/42\n- Starship articles/resources: https://newspaceeconomy.ca/spacex-starship/\n\n# Mentorship\n[Space Technology & Aeronautical Rocketry (STAR)](https://www.starlabsurat.com/) offers mentorship to student teams participating in our hackathon. (Feel free to reach out to Team STAR for mentorship via starlabsurat@gmail.com)"},{"id":395,"name":"Workshops & Demos","slug":"workshops-&-demos","description":"**Stay tuned for more updates!** ✨\n\n| Type | Topic | Speaker | Date | Video |\n| :------ | :------ | :------ | :------ | :------ |\n| Workshop | Challenges of Deep Space Human Spaceflight Missions | George Salazar, Human Computer Interface Lead at NASA (Retired) | Aug 23, 2023 | [Link](https://youtube.com/live/OS75sZBFKhw) |\n| Workshop | Magnetoplasmadynamic Thrusters and Magnetoshell Shields | Dr. Joseph Parker, Chief Science Officer at Terran Space Academy | Oct 30, 2023 | [Link](https://youtube.com/live/2S0jrd9vE0A) |\n| Workshop | LASER Power – the next frontier in space | Keval Dattani CEng, CEO and Founder of Space Power | Nov 9, 2023 | [Link](https://youtube.com/live/oFfuf4NktM4) |\n| Workshop | Cryogenic and Green Propellants | Prabhat Phondekar, PhD in Rocket Propulsion at Birla Institute of Technology | Nov 25, 2023 | [Link](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTvzh4DBvS4) |\n| Workshop | Exploring Current and Emerging Space Markets for Entrepreneurial Ventures | Jeff Krukin, Principal & Co-founder at Earth-Space Commerce Advisors, LLC | Dec 15, 2023 | [Link](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJmA_PU6QTk) |\n| Demo | Round 1 Demo Day featuring Helix, \"Valhalla\" Space Hotel, and Novel Satellite Constellation| Elliott Ruzicka, Dennis and the Exodus Orbital team, IITK Rocketry and Space Exploration Team | Mar 8, 2024 | [Link](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKqnQsU3U-M) |\n\n# Challenges of Deep Space Human Spaceflight Missions\n\n![youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OS75sZBFKhw)\n\n# Magnetoplasmadynamic Thrusters and Magnetoshell Shields\n\n![youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S0jrd9vE0A)\n\n# LASER Power – the next frontier in space\n\n![youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFfuf4NktM4)\n\n# Cryogenic and Green Propellants\n\n![youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTvzh4DBvS4)\n\n# Exploring Current and Emerging Space Markets for Entrepreneurial Ventures\n\n![youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJmA_PU6QTk)\n\n# Round 1 Demo Day\n\n![youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKqnQsU3U-M)"},{"id":404,"name":"Submission Guide","slug":"submission-guide","description":"# Tutorial Video\n\n![YouTube](https://youtu.be/yWhQPzxptg0)\n\n# **Getting Started [3-5 MIN]**\n\n**1.** **Submit your BUIDL via [DoraHacks.io](https://dorahacks.io/). You need an account with DoraHacks before you can submit.**\n\nUse the **Log in** button in the upper right corner of the page to access the sign-up options.\n\n

\n\nYou can create your account with either your **GitHub account, Google account, crypto wallet** or **email address**. We recommend connecting your account to GitHub to share your projects with a wider audience.\n\n*If asked for a verification code via email, the email may take a few minutes to arrive. The code expires 10 minutes after you click “**send code**”.\n\n**2.** **Before the submission deadline, make sure you have added your Github link to the project. You can submit the project first, and continue editing until the deadline.**\n\nClick “**Submit BUIDL**”.\n\n

\n\n\n> **→ Already have a BUIDL on DoraHacks?**\n> \n\n1. Click “**Use existing BUIDL**” and select your BUIDL project.\n2. Choose the track you want to enter. \n3. Answer the questions set by the organizer in the input field if applicable.\n\n

\n\n\n> **→ Submitting a new BUIDL?**\n> \n> Click **“Create new BUIDL”** and fill out the form with your project details.\n\n

\n\nBe sure to include **URLs (with http/https://)** for your demo, demo link, and social media.\n\n

\n\n

\n\nOnce you’ve completed the new BUIDL setup, select the relevant track, and click **“Submit for review”**.\n\n

\n\nAfter submitting successfully, you'll see this notification.\n\n

\n\n# **Manage BUIDL submission**\n\nAfter submitting your application, the \"Submit\" button will update to \"Manage Submission\". Click the button to manage your BUIDL's Track/Bounty submission.\n\n

\n\n# **Project Approval**\n\nAfter submission, your project needs to be approved by the Hackathon Organizer before it becomes publicly visible in the Hackathon [BUIDLs gallery](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/205/buidl).\n\n

\n\n# **Getting Support**\n\nIf you have any questions for the hackathon organizers, feel free to contact them via their dedicated Telegram, Discord, or Slack communication channel. You can also click the \"**Message**\" button next to the organizer's logo to DM them on DoraHacks.\n\n# Need to Update Your BUIDL?\n\nTo make changes to your project, click [Avatar] -> [Profile] to access your Account Center. Then, click the \"**Edit**\" button on the top right of your BUIDL to update your BUIDL information.\n\n

\n\n

"},{"id":587,"name":"Round 1 Results","slug":"round-1-results","description":"# Round 1 Wrap Up Blog\n🚀 https://dorahacks.io/blog/starship-r1-recap/ 🚀\n\n# Congratulations to the Winners \n\n[BUIDL](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/8953)\n\nProject Award in Round 1: $1500\n\nBUIDL link: https://dorahacks.io/buidl/8953\n\nProject Helix is a speculative spatial concept for SpaceX's upcoming human-rated Starship which focuses on practicality, efficiency, and experiential quality during long-duration missions.\n\n[BUIDL](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/9320)\n\nProject Award in Round 1: $500\n\nBUIDL link: https://dorahacks.io/buidl/9320\n\nThis paper presents a concept for a highly modular low-cost space station which serves as an orbital science park. By specialising in commercial research, this concept delivers improvements in cost, turnaround and operational efficiency over current generation space stations. It also leverages the unique capability of the Starship launch vehicle to deliver more at lower cost.\n\n[BUIDL](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/9386)\n\nProject Award in Round 1: $500\n\nBUIDL link: https://dorahacks.io/buidl/9386\n\nOne of the major challenges in space exploration is the lack of suitable destinations for the people to travel to, within the constraints of modern technology. We will provide a solution to this challenge in the form of a space hotel, utilizing the capabilities of the SpaceX Starship heavy lift launch system.\n\nIn addition to the micro gravity modules of the space hotel station, we will also include an artificial gravity segment that can simulate natural gravity up to Martian level (0.378g). This will allow a wider range of entertainment and research activities compared to the previous generation of space stations, such as Mir, ISS or TianGong. Furthermore, this capability will allow generation of valuable life science data for the future Mars colonists.\n\n[BUIDL](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/9453)\n\nProject Award in Round 1: $500\n\nBUIDL link: https://dorahacks.io/buidl/9453\n\nOur vision is to revolutionize on-orbit servicing through an innovative satellite constellation, enhancing on-orbit refueling, repairing, and space debris cleanup for a more sustainable and interconnected future of space exploration.\n\n# Winners Demo Day\n\n## Ep01 - Featuring Helix, \"Valhalla\" Space Hotel and Novel Satellite Constellation\n\n![youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKqnQsU3U-M)\n\n## Ep02 - Featuring Orbital Can Station - Lab Infrastructure for LEO and Beyond\n\n![youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl0cIstvVTA)\n\n\n# Huge Thanks to Our Judging Panel\n\n- [**George Salazar**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgesalazar2023/) - Human Computer Interface Lead at NASA (Retired)\n- [**Danica Marsden**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/danicamarsden/) - Principal Quantum Computing Scientist at Bank of Canada\n- [**Olayinka Fagbemiro**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/olayinka-fagbemiro-bbb77489/) - Chief Scientist Officer at the Nigerian Space Agency\n- [**Sean Casey**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanccasey/) - General Program Manager at UC San Diego and Advisor at Lunar Station Corp\n- [**Sourabh Kaushal**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaushalsourabh/) - Director of Innovation at Lab of Future and Co-Founder at Smartcircuits Innovation Pvt. Ltd.\n- [**Sunny Kabrawala**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunny-kabrawala-238194132/) - Founder and Director at Space Technology & Aeronautical Rocketry (STAR)"}],"skills":["python"],"applied":false,"isCurrentHackerRegistered":false,"buidlsCount":19,"applicationsCount":96,"organization":{"id":542,"name":"DoraHacks Team","logo":"https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/189f8f1398ad4732d09ce824ea48afa3.png"},"description":"# Introduction\n\n🚀 Welcome to the Starship Use Cases Hackathon! \n\n**[Starship](https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/starship/)**, a super heavy-lift launch vehicle under development by SpaceX, with its transformative potential, paves the way for humanity to reach new frontiers—whether it's the Moon, Mars, or beyond. We are steadfast in our belief of pushing the boundaries of what's possible, propelling ourselves to the stars. \n\nAt the Starship Use Cases Hackathon, our mission is simple yet profound: to inspire and empower space enthusiasts, engineers, and innovators to envision groundbreaking solutions for the future of space exploration. \n\n🌟 We're excited to share several key highlights of this hackathon:\n- **Curated Use Cases**: We've carefully selected a range of engaging use cases that provide hackers with a solid foundation to build their innovative solutions on.\n- **Prize Pool**: We've put together a prize pool of $100,000 to reward and motivate hackers as they embark on their building journey. \n- **Hacker Resources**: Explore a curated selection of valuable tools to enhance your solution design, featuring a range of purpose-specific calculators. \n- **Inspiring Workshops**: Join us for inspiring workshops led by experienced professionals from the space industry. Gain valuable insights and knowledge to supercharge your hackathon experience.\n- **Expert Feedback**: Our panel of judges will offer constructive feedback to help hackers refine and enhance their solutions. It's a great opportunity for growth and improvement.\n- **Collaboration Hub**: Connect with fellow hackers on our platform! Build teams, exchange ideas, and inspire each other throughout the hackathon journey. \n\nJoin forces with fellow space buffs and embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Get ready to showcase your technical skills. Together, we will transform dreams of interstellar adventures into tangible reality.\n\nAd Astra! 🌠\n\n**Tap the \"Register as a Hacker\" button to join our hacker community, connect with fellow innovators, and receive the latest updates and hackathon reminders via email! 🚀**\n\nContact Information\n- Email: [operation@dorahacks.com](mailto:operation@dorahacks.com)\n- LinkedIn: [@DoraHacks](https://www.linkedin.com/company/dorahacks/)\n- Twitter: [@DoraHacks](https://twitter.com/DoraHacks)\n- Telegram: [@dorahacksofficial](https://t.me/dorahacksofficial)\n\n# Timeline\n- **Round 3**: \n - Submission Period: October 10, 2024 - February 28, 2025
\n **Note:** Hackers can submit first and continue to refine and polish their solutions right up until the final deadline.\n - Pre-Screening Period: March 1-14, 2025\n - Judging Period: March 15-31, 2025\n - Winner Announcement: April 1, 2025
\n - Project Live Demo: Optional for participants.
\n **Note:** To facilitate these demo sessions, the DoraHacks team will be in touch with participating teams to arrange suitable timings. \n\n- **Round 2**: \n - Submission Period: March 14 - August 31, 2024 (extended)
\n - Pre-Screening & Judging: In progress\n - Winner Announcement: Finalists have been selected and are awaiting announcement. Expected by Jan, 2025 (extended) \n\n- **Round 1**\n - Submission Period: October 1, 2023 - January 31, 2024\n - Judging Period: Feb 1-24, 2024 \n - Winner Announcement: Feb 28, 2024 **(Check out more details on the winning projects in the [Round 1 Results tab](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/starship/round-1-results))**\n\n\n# Use Cases\n\n**Overview:** From the [Wikipedia page for SpaceX Starship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_Starship), the lift capability of a fully reusable Starship is at least 100 tones to LEO. From there, lift capability drops significantly (only about 20 tonnes to GTO, for example), but the possibility of on-orbit refueling can provide the capability to lift 100 tonnes into essentially arbitrary trajectories, limited only by fuel availability. The payload bay is 8m in diameter and 17m long (although heavily tapered toward the nose). Considering this impressive lifting capacity, we've thoughtfully curated the unique use cases and open challenges below. These scenarios provide an excellent opportunity for you to showcase your engineering expertise and explore your imaginative potential as you create your design blueprints. \n\n**Note: For in-depth background and task description for each use case, head to the [Use Cases tab](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/starship/use-cases).**\n\n**Use Cases:**\n- Delivery of Water to the Lunar Surface\n- Space-based Farming\n- Orbital Hotel\n- Artifact Collection\n- Orbital Fireworks\n- Planetary Defense System\n- Space Debris Cleanup\n- Collision Avoidance for Immobile Objects\n- Satellite Secure Digital ID\n- Add-on Passive Deorbit Hardware\n- LIDAR Constellation\n- Routers for Global Internet of Things\n- Buried Among The Stars\n- Climate Engineering the Easy Way\n- Metals from the Moon\n- Orbital Lab Bench\n- Storage of Sensitive Data in Space\n- Preserve the ISS\n- Power Generation\n- Ice Mining\n- Propellant Production\n- Long-duration Life Support\n- Construction/ Development\n- Are We There Yet?\n- ***And more use cases to come!***\n\n**Open Challenges:**\n- Novel Satellite Constellations\n- Recreation Facilities for Space Hotel\n \n\n\n# Prize Details\nA total prize pool of $100,000 USD, comprising 2 award categories:\n\n🏆 Top Honors: $10,000
\n\n🌟 Project Awards: $500 - $2,000 (Varies based on project quality)
\n\nThere is no restriction on the number of winners in each category until the entire prize pool has been distributed. In case we don't have enough eligible projects to claim these rewards, the remaining prize pool will be rolled over to the next round of this hackathon or allocated to future Space hackathons.\n\n# Submission Requirements\n- Each submission should address a single use case or the open challenge.\n\n- Please submit a well-crafted design report that incorporates the provided technical constraints for each use case. Ensure it offers a comprehensive explanation of how your design aligns with the use case objectives and performance criteria. Your submission should reflect thoughtful consideration and attention to detail, demonstrating your engineering skills and capability.\n\n- Please feel free to include links to detailed reports (e.g., GitHub repo, Google Doc, or Google Drive folder) alongside the BUIDL page's description.\n\n# Tips for Hackers\n**1. Register as Hacker.** Here's why and how:\n- You can stay updated and receive timely reminders about the hackathon. \n- Simply click the **Register as a Hacker** button at the top of this page.\n\n**2. Submit early.** Here are several advantages:\n- Early submissions allow our DoraHacks team more time to find suitable technical support for your project.\n- You'll have more time to receive valuable feedback from judges that help you better polish your project.\n- Early submissions gain more visibility, attracting like-minded space enthusiasts and potential contributors to your project.\n\n**3. Participate in demo session.** Here are several advantages: \n- The demo can provide judges with a clearer understanding of your submission, ultimately increasing your chances of winning a prize.\n- Participating teams may also benefit from valuable feedback provided by the judges after they have observed the demo. This feedback can offer insights into areas of improvement and refinement, helping you enhance your project's overall quality.\n\n**4. Showcase your background.** Update your profiles:\n- BUIDL Profile: In the Team Information section, introduce yourself and your team members. Share your roles, titles, organizations, and highlight your skills. Don't forget to include your social media links.\n- Hacker Profile: Share detailed information about your personal experience, skills, and areas of interest. This will help like-minded hackers or supporters find you in the [Hackers tab](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/starship/hackers) and connect with you easily!\n\n**5. Connect with fellow hackers.** Here's how:\n- Engage in discussions by posting in the [Discuss tab](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/starship/discuss). Use it to create teams, share ideas, and motivate each other during the hackathon journey.\n- Explore the [Hackers tab](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/starship/hackers) to connect with hackers who share your interests. You can send direct messages on DoraHacks!\n\n# Judging Criteria\n\n**General Judging Criteria**:\n\n- **Design Approach and Innovation** - How creatively does the submission address the specific challenges presented by the use case?\n- **Scientific and Technical Merit** - How effectively does the submission incorporate scientific principles and technical expertise into the design?\n- **Feasibility of Design** - Is the proposed technical approach cost-effective? How well does the team identify and address potential risks in their design submission? To what degree does the team demonstrate an understanding of practical implementation challenges?\n- **Completeness of Design** - How comprehensive and thorough is the engineering design?\n\n**Use Case-Specific Judging Criteria**:\nFor each use case, please include technical aspects relevant to that specific use case. These criteria should align with the specific requirements and constraints of each use case.\n\n# Judging Panel \n- Stay tuned for more Round 3 judging panel announcements! 🌟\n\n# Frequently Asked Questions\n- **I'm currently working on space-related projects not listed in the Starship use cases. Can I still get funding and support from DoraHacks?**
\nYes! We're all about supporting space tech innovators. Check out our [Space Resources and Exploration Grant](https://dorahacks.io/mini-grant/10/detail) program. We've already supported eleven great early-stage projects. The grant page provides all the details on the grant program, our past grantees, and the workshops and demo sessions we've hosted. Submissions are open all year round, so feel free to submit your project anytime.\n\n- **What happens to my intellectual property?**
\nDoraHacks does not claim any intellectual property (IP) rights from the Teams’ submissions. All trade secrets, copyrights, patent rights, and software rights will remain with each respective Team.\n\n- **Is there a way to keep the document confidential and not make it public?**
\nIf you have documents that you prefer not to make public, you can send them directly to us. If the information is confidential and you do not wish to share it, you can provide a general explanation in your submission instead.\n\n- **Is there a limit to the number of participants on a team?**
\nA team can have as many contributing members as needed.\n\n- **How can I find more teammates for the hackathon?**
\nTo form a team, we suggest utilizing our Discuss board. Here's a quick guide:
\n - **Introduce Yourself**: Create a post sharing your skills and what you're seeking in potential teammates. Highlight your strengths and what excites you about the hackathon.
\n - **Connect**: Engage with fellow hackers by commenting on their posts or sending them a direct message. Don't be shy; this is your chance to build a dream team!\n\n# Open for Collaboration\n\nAt DoraHacks, we believe in the power of collaboration and innovation in the field of space. We are actively looking for individuals and organizations in the space tech sector who share our passion and want to join us. Whether you can provide tech support, serve on a judge panel, or offer financial sponsorship, we welcome your involvement!\n\nHere's how you can participate:\n\n- **Open-Resource Communities**: If you belong to an open-resource community dedicated to space tech, let’s team up to organize workshops, seminars, and other collaborative events.\n- **Experienced Professionals**: If you are an experienced professional in space-related fields, we warmly invite you to join our judge panel, review groundbreaking projects, and connect with talented minds in inspiring workshops.\n- **Sponsorship and Partnerships**: If you or your organization is interested in sponsoring our initiatives or forming a partnership with us, we would be delighted to discuss further details.\n- **Media Partners**: We extend a warm welcome to media partners who want to showcase the latest and most innovative projects for Starship use cases. Gain exposure to cutting-edge advancements and be part of the space revolution!\n\n# Contact\n\nFeel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions, would like to explore collaboration opportunities, or share any additional ideas you may have. \n\n- Email: [operation@dorahacks.com](mailto:operation@dorahacks.com)\n- Twitter: [@DoraHacks](https://twitter.com/DoraHacks)\n- Telegram: [@dorahacksofficial](https://t.me/dorahacksofficial)\n\n\n\n# About DoraHacks\n\nDoraHacks is a global hackathon organizer and one of the world's most active developer incentive platforms. It creates a global hacker movement in space tech, blockchain and quantum computing, and provides a wide range of toolkits to help developers around the world team up and fund their ideas and BUIDLs via hackathons, bounties, grants, idea networks, developer games and more.\n\nBy far, more than 6,000 startup teams from the DoraHacks community have received over $40 million in grants and other forms of contributions from supporters worldwide. A large number of open source communities, companies and blockchain ecosystems are actively using Dora's infrastructure ([http://dorahacks.io](http://dorahacks.io/)) for open source funding and community governance.","onboardingCompleted":false,"registerFormUrl":null,"preRegisterTime":0,"publicContactHackerHandle":"DoraHacks","hackersCount":248,"winnerAnnounced":false,"teamCount":4,"title":"Starship Use Cases Hackathon | Fostering Innovation in Space","uname":"starship","imageUrl":"https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/1925bca47082d47b07364424903940bb.jpg","originUrl":null,"startTime":1728490080,"endTime":1740758880,"timezone":"UTC","city":"Virtual","visible":true,"approvalStatus":6,"state":0,"voteUrl":null,"voteMechanism":null,"bonusPrice":100000,"bonusMechanism":"XXX","followersCount":0,"ecosystem":null,"applyGuide":null,"weight":8000,"participationForm":"Virtual","field":"Space 2.0","email":null,"contacts":"Telegram,dorahacksofficial","externalContacts":null,"telegram":"dorahacksofficial","discord":null,"whatsapp":null,"wechat":null,"prizeFundingEscrowed":0,"token":"USD","prizeSafeForm":0,"prizeSafeNetwork":null,"prizeSafeOwner":null,"prizeSafeWallet":null,"prizeSafePublishDate":null,"hasOnboarding":false,"isPublicTrackJudging":true,"isEndedTrackJudging":false,"question":null,"countryId":null,"cityId":null,"venueName":null,"venueAddress":null,"category":2,"isEnableBounty":true,"isBountyRequired":false,"isEndedBountyJudging":false,"bountiesLimitForBuidl":10,"isPublicBountyJudging":false,"isMultiTracksAllowed":false,"tracksLimitForBuidl":0,"showIdeaTab":true,"showQuestionTab":true,"showTeamTab":true,"bonusDescription":[],"askHackers":[],"isEnabledQuestions":false,"isEnabledAskHackers":false,"isBuidlsPrivate":false,"trackJudgingMaxScore":100,"bountyJudgingMaxScore":100,"isExtended":false,"oldEndTime":null,"status":1},"status":4,"bounty":null,"track":null,"table":"0","trackObj":{"id":711,"name":"[DEFAULT_TRACK]","judgingCriteria":"### Participants would greatly appreciate your feedback and guidance to help them enhance and advance their projects.\n\n### General Judging Criteria:\n\n**Design Approach and Innovation** - How creatively does the submission address the specific challenges presented by the use case?\n\n**Scientific and Technical Merit** - How effectively does the submission incorporate scientific principles and technical expertise into the design?\n\n**Feasibility of Design** - Is the proposed technical approach cost-effective? How well does the team identify and address potential risks in their design submission? To what degree does the team demonstrate an understanding of practical implementation challenges?\n\n**Completeness of Design** - How comprehensive and thorough is the engineering design?","weight":0},"bountyObjs":[]}],"chain":[],"chainList":[],"appliedGrant":false,"acceptRewards":false,"owner":84554,"ownerInfo":{"nickname":"DarkStar1982","username":"U_b23ce76895660c","avatar":"https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/18e002e9671040e6f5b723f439a9e017.png"},"visible":true,"deleted":false,"continuousSponsoring":false,"pageView":0,"sponsoredCount":0,"starCount":0,"sponsoredAmount":"0.00","sponsoredPersons":0,"followers":9,"voteCount":0,"projectMembers":[{"id":14185,"member":{"id":153814,"username":"U_6fc1dc521f71ac","avatarUrl":"https://cdn.dorahacks.io/images/hacker-avatar/1.jpg","nickName":"Palak_Meena75"},"email":"***@***","status":"pending","role":3,"title":null,"introduction":null},{"id":8828,"member":{"id":126708,"username":"paychan","avatarUrl":"https://cdn.dorahacks.io/images/hacker-avatar/1.jpg","nickName":"paychan140108"},"email":"***@***","status":"pending","role":3,"title":null,"introduction":null}],"bnbRound":null,"doraGrantDaoTags":[],"techTrees":[2],"infrastructureTags":[],"otherInfrastructures":[],"lastEditor":{"id":84554,"username":"U_b23ce76895660c","date":1725220861000},"upvoted":false,"followed":false,"upvoters":{"count":7,"list":[{"id":18073,"hacker":{"username":"U_b23ce76895660c","avatarUrl":"https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/18e002e9671040e6f5b723f439a9e017.png","nickName":"DarkStar1982","introduction":""},"createdAt":"2024-09-14T08:38:06.661880+08:00","upvotes":"0.00","followed":false},{"id":6996,"hacker":{"username":"U_4e1a4449277f5b","avatarUrl":"https://cdn.dorahacks.io/images/hacker-avatar/1.jpg","nickName":"hacker4e38857","introduction":"I'm sintayew Gashaw from Ethiopia"},"createdAt":"2024-02-12T05:49:22.300451+08:00","upvotes":"0.00","followed":false},{"id":6889,"hacker":{"username":"U_a86d6d81260c03","avatarUrl":"https://cdn.dorahacks.io/images/hacker-avatar/3.jpg","nickName":"hacker9a98c54","introduction":""},"createdAt":"2024-02-01T18:36:34.693280+08:00","upvotes":"0.00","followed":false},{"id":6885,"hacker":{"username":"U_86c1d0d44e64b","avatarUrl":"https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/18e001d20597244cf09d5b145ed9efd7.png","nickName":"Loristian11","introduction":""},"createdAt":"2024-02-01T07:15:57.766759+08:00","upvotes":"0.00","followed":false},{"id":6882,"hacker":{"username":"U_4f83afec08a467","avatarUrl":"https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/18e001cba8885112b125c4549ed84996.png","nickName":"ndrs81","introduction":""},"createdAt":"2024-02-01T02:16:59.392772+08:00","upvotes":"0.00","followed":false}]},"kycStatus":0,"ideas":[],"name":"\"Valhalla\" Space Hotel v 1.1","techniqueField":"","source":"-","vision":"We are building a space hotel with artificial gravity features","projectDescription":"# Introduction\n\nOne of the major challenges in space exploration is the lack of suitable destinations for the people to travel to, within the constraints of modern technology. We will provide a solution to this challenge in the form of a space hotel, utilizing the capabilities of the SpaceX Starship heavy lift launch system. \n\nIn addition to the micro gravity modules of the space hotel station, we will also include an artificial gravity segment that can simulate natural gravity up to Moon (0.166g) and Martian level (0.378g). This will allow a wider range of entertainment and research activities compared to the previous generation of space stations, such as Mir, ISS or Tiangong. Furthermore, this capability will allow generation of valuable life science data for the future interplanetary colonists.\n\n# Station Design\n\nThe obvious station design to allow artificial gravity would be a full ring structure, potentially with multiple rings providing different levels of gravity. However, due to the limit on the number of Starship launches available, a partial ring is more feasible option.\n\nBased on the results of artificial gravity trade-offs, a diameter of around 75m is needed to have a comfortable level of low gravity. The partial ring of the station rotates around the hub, and the hub’s main body stays stationary to allow spacecraft to dock more easily without having to match rotation speed. The structure of the station is maintained thanks to cables between the modules.\n\n![space stations.png](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/18d528f093b7396cbed583642daa69be.png)\n\nIt is made up of a total of 17 modules of 4 types:\n- **Central hub** This module has a central stationary part where the airlock is located. There is also a welcoming directly after the guests exit the airlock after arriving. There is a rotating collar where the two main arms/corridors of the station connect to the artificial gravity section.\n\n![central_hun.png](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/18d52980c0641c86cc5dbf24a95b7156.png)\n\n- **Multipurpose** This type of module is very versatile, and is primarily used to connect the hub to the partial ring sections. Multiple modules are stacked to create the diameter of the partial ring needed to achieve the target artificial gravity. This module can be packed with required equipment at launch and everything can be connected in orbit during assembly. The module is used in the arms of the station and packed with life support machines and supplies needed to run the station. The module has the largest continuous interior by default so it is also used as a multi purpose room in the partial ring for sports and other activities.\n\n![mpm.png](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/18d529eaabb352d8825ab904693a2e91.png)\n\n- **Sleeping quarters**. This module contains up to 6 double rooms\n\n![stores.png](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/18d529dbff484c8905f572b48bb948f3.png)\n\n- **T-section** This module links the sleeping quarters to the rest of the station. It has a kitchen and communal areas for eating and relaxing.\n\n![t_cell.jpg](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/18d52b90eab556c6f6ebea64d94a0f4c.jpg)\n\n# Specifications\n\n*Summary*\n\n| **Station Diameter** | **Mass, dry** | **Mass, wet** | **Capacity** | **Power budget** | \n| :------ | :------ | :------ | :------ | :------ |\n| 75 m | 850 tonnes | 1550 tonnes | 18 people | 171 kW |\n\n*Table 1 - Space Hotel space station summary*\n\n# Artificial Gravity Considerations\nFor a rotating structure, its artificial gravity level can be assumed as the centripetal acceleration at the rim of the structure. The formula will be:\n\n*a=w² * r*\n\nHere r is rotation radius in meters, and w is rotational rate in rad/s. (REF 36, p.9). Below is the map of relation between rotation radius and angular velocity for given centripetal acceleration/artificial gravity level:\n\n![Screenshot 2024-08-21 at 7.52.43 PM.png](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/191775bea55be902474ff884b4aab65a.png)\n[1, p. 43]\n\n**why choice of 0.166g (Lunar gravity) and 0.378g (Martian gravity) are important as design points?**\n\nWhen it comes to understanding the impact of fractional gravity on human is mostly unknown - any data points on this subject will massively improve our understanding of the required level for long-term survival of of human. \n \nFurthermore, the knowledge of long-term exposure to this level of gravity would be critical to understand the health impact on the population of any future Martian or Lunar surface colony, especially on the gestation and health of second-generation colonists. \n\nStation architecture also allows rotation at lower levels of artificial gravity, simulating environment for all other smaller bodies and minor planets in Solar System (like Ceres, Pluto, moons of giant planets and so on).\n\nIn addition to the main parameter of the artificial gravity magnitude, there are also a list of secondary effects for human inhabitants, listed below\n\n- **Artificial gravity gradient**\n\nThis is the variation of artificial gravity level between the different parts of human body, measured at head and feet distance, expressed as *∆A_c=(r-h)/r*\n\nHere r is the centrifugal radius and is h the distance between the feet and head of an astronaut. There is no reliably known limits for this value, but currently available body of research indicated that values of up to 15% are well-tolerated [4, p.5]\n\n- **Coriolis force**\n\nAny linear motion along the habitat will produce an extra acceleration different from natural gravity environment, defined as: A_cor=-2*(w×v)\n\nHere w is angular velocity, v is velocity of the moving object, with the resulting acceleration defined as cross product of above values ([1, p. 38). Its magnitude is maximum when the moving object velocity vector is perpendicular to the rotation vector.\n\n- **Cross-coupled acceleration**\n\nCross-coupled acceleration appears during any rotational motion during the induced centrifugation. Its formula is: *A_cca=w×wx*\n\nHere *w* represents the angular velocity of the rotational environment and *wx* is the angular velocity of the rotating object. The absolute value of cross coupled acceleration acting on a human crew member is the sum of said angular acceleration and the cross product of the above values. ([2, p.12).\n\n- **Euler force acceleration during acceleration and deceleration**\n\nThis is a transient force due to spin-up and spin-down phases, defined as *A_euler=-dw/dt×R*\n\nHere *-dw/dt* is the angular acceleration/deceleration and R is the vector position of the point where acceleration is measured relative to the axis of rotation ([2, p.42). This acceleration increases in magnitude with greater distance from the center of rotation.\n\n- **Summary of acceleration components in the rotating environment**\n\nThe total acceleration acting on the point object in rotating reference frame is\n\n*A_total = A_c + A_cor + A_cca + A_euler*\n\nDefinition of comfort zone and dimensions for the rotational gravity takes into account the secondary effects/acceleration factors. The magnitude of these effects will vary depending on the scenario in question. Stationary observers in a uniformly rotating environment will only experience centripetal acceleration, while moving objects in the same environment may experience Coriolis and cross-coupled accelerations.\n\n*Sensitivity thresholds and comfort zone identified*\nOver the 60 years of space exploration history a number of studies were dedicated to establishing upper and lower limits of artificial gravity, Coriolis force and gravity gradient. Note that sensitivity by itself doesn't imply any negative impact on human performance. Vestibular apparatus adapts successfully to motion sickness both at Earth’s gravity level on marine and airborne vessels and in space during weightlessness conditions. To summarize the current understanding of human physiology in rotating environments, a chart shows all of the available parameters with the hypothesized \"comfort zone\" highlighted:\n\n![ag.png](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/18d5c2025ce0d9ccc5c2b08420da8e0a.png)\n[3, p. 7]\n\nWith respect to chart above for artificial gravity comfort zone, we get the following specification for the station parameters:\n\n| *Artificial gravity level** | **Revolutions per minute** | **Artificial gravity gradient** | **Tangential velocity** | **Rotational radius** | **Comments** |\n| :------ | :------ | :------ | :------ | :------ | :------ |\n| 1.66 m/s^2 | 2.00 | 4.85% | 7.77 m/s | 37.5 m | Moon gravity \n| 3.17 m/s^2 | 3.00 | 4.79% | 11.80 m/s | 37.5 m | Martian gravity \n\n*Table 2 - Artificial gravity environment parameters*\n\nIllustrated below is the station environment with respect to artificial gravity parameters chart:\n\n![Artificial_gravity_our_station.png](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/191aa422f267644084446b342869cb76.png)\n\n# Operations overview\nInitial mission operations assume 17 launches at 50% load capacity + 2 launches at 100% for tug operations, allowing a margin of safety for each launch plus spare launches available for contingency scenarios. \n\nAfter station assembly additional cargo can be brought aboard, both consumables like food, water, oxygen, fuel etc and additional structural or functional components. A total of 7 launches at 100% Starship payload capacity (700 tonnes) will bring the necessary equipment and consumables onboard after station assembly, keeping the total number of launches at the limit of 24.\n\nAmong the possible orbits for space hotel station (LEO, SSO, MEO or GEO)\nThe optimal orbit , taking into the consideration all available parameters selected to be of 550 km altitude at 28.5 inclination (assuming Cape Canaveral launch site), minimizing radiation exposure, residual atmosphere drag and space debris risk, as illustrated in the charts below:\n\n![chart_drag.png](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/18d57336d48226c4a8a1632403eabded.png)\n[5, Fig. 8]\n\n![chart_rad_debris.png](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/18d5736158b3176fb7d41ce4adcaf6f8.png)\n[6, Fig. 3]\n\nOrbit visualization\n\n![3D view.png](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/18d5736e1ea61c5fe5614c24ccbb7d3e.png)\n\nGround track\n\n![gmat_sim.png](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/18d57370ece6977b3934f214bd28a94f.png)\n\nThe choice of orbit and design allows interoperation with existing cargo and crewed spacecraft for resupply, guest rotation and emergency egress procedures without excessive modifications. To facilitate in-orbit assembly for proposed space hotel, additional robotic tug spacecraft with a robotic arm can be utilized, as illustrated below, with sufficient propellant to perform all assembly operations:\n\n![tug_1.png](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/18d573e6872b0e15bf1c011442b9f136.png)\n\nThe space tug is designed to fit inside Starship fairing dimensions, illustrated below:\n\n![space_tug.png](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/18d57ced652e4a1847b28434bcf93230.png)\n\nIt will have sufficient fuel load to perform all necessary assembly activities at the target orbit, assuming the following specifications:\n\n|**Total mass** | **Fuel mass** | **Diameter** | **dV** | \n| :------ | :------ | :------ | :------ |\n| 100.0 tonnes | 80.0 tonnes | 6m | 5.1 km/s |\n\n*Table 3 - Orbital Tug specs*\n\n## Radiation Environment Considerations\nThere are multiple sources of radiation at LEO: constant background from (mostly protons) lower edge of Van Allen radiation belt, galactic particle rays as well as episodic events such as CMEs, solar flares and gamma-ray bursts. Each of them require different shielding strategies, but to simplify things, low-energy (<10 MeV) charged particles and gamma-rays are most efficiently stopped by heavy, dense metals, but higher-energy (>20 MeV) particles have to rely on lower density materials with higher proportion of hydrogen atoms (polyethylene, paraffin or water) due to induced secondary radiation. Radiation levels at 550 km altitude are significantly more elevated compared to ISS orbital altitude and will require additional shielding to allow the inhabitants to stay within the same annual limit.\n\n## Station outer shell design\nPreliminary calculations using NASA OLTARIS tool (tables 2-3) showed that 35g/cm^2 of water shielding is sufficient to reduce the total annual dose below the ISS-equivalent safety limit within 150 milliSieverts per year under most of the expected conditions.\n\n| **Data** | **Daily dose** | **Annual dose** | **Unit** | \n| :------ | :------ | :------ | :------ |\n| Earth Orbit GCR | 0.09916 | 36.19 | mSv |\n| Trapped + albedo | 0.3004 | 109.7 | mSv |\n| ***Total*** | ***0.3996*** | ***146.6*** | ***mSv*** |\n\n*Table 4 - AP9 solar cycle averaged + 2001 Solar Maximum*\n\n| **Data** | **Daily dose** | **Annual dose** | **Unit** | \n| :------ | :------ | :------ | :------ |\n| Earth Orbit GCR | 0.1144 | 41.76 | mSv |\n| Trapped + albedo | 0.3004 | 109.7 | mSv |\n| ***Total*** | ***0.4148*** | ***151.4*** | ***mSv*** |\n\n*Table 5 - AP9 solar cycle averaged + 2001 Solar Maximum*\n\nModule structure is assumed to be composed of the 50 mm Al-alloy pressure hull augmented by inner shielding formed by 10 mm polyethylene and 10 mm of teflon with 350mm of spacing that can be filled with water, with teflon being chosen for the crew-facing wall to reduce flammability hazards. Total thickness of the module’s wall is 420 mm and area density is 51.7 g/cm^2.\n\n![Module structure](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/1916d51754291cefd5258274041b9fc2.png)\n\nAdditional measures can include screening of crew and passengers-candidates for high-risk cancer markers in their genomes and personalizing their daily schedule with respect to the radiation exposure and adding radioprotective food into the astronaut’s diet.Individual radiation shielding can be also added to crew and passengers work suites, using solutions such as AstroRad by LM (illustrated).\n\n![Astrorad vest](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/1916d5be82f02d474bfe2894b4e9f021.png)\n[7]\n\n# Assembly Operations and Cable Management\nBuilding the station and installing the tension cables will require the tug to have a visual processing system for autonomous, or semi autonomous operation, and one or more robotic arms. \n\nThe space industry is seeing more and more developments in edge computing that will allow this to happen. We are seeing the kind of computing that allows complex processing of data such as Visual Odometry, detection, and tracking of objects in space for Rendez-vous and Docking.\n\nRobotic arms used to be a cause for concern due to their complexity and the difficult space environment, however in recent years many companies have unveiled their robotics heavy missions.\n\nClear space is planning on using a multi arm space tug for clearing large space debris. And MDA has unveiled their Skymaker suite of robot arms for commercial space.\n\n![MDA Skymaker Arm](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/1917262bb296fb96ef829554bf69a05b.png)\n[8]\n\nGiven that the technological development is well on its way, station building will make heavy use of robot arms and visual processing. \nThe modules will have attachment points, and the cable will be laid out by the tug, and using the robot arms to attach itself, and another to install the cable, it will link all the modules in such a way as to maintain tension when the station is made to rotate\n\nThe tug uses a combination of Visual Odometry and machine learning to estimate its position, and that of the robot arm in 3D space in order to perform the attachment maneuvers. It is possible to use other visual cues such as markers to increase the reliability of the visual processing system.\n\n![Attachment Point Close-Up](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/19172646c27b03ffddfa03b47468fb04.png)\n\n## Assembly procedure - details\n\n- Step 1 - Build the spine of the station\n\n![Step 1 illustrated](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/1917266ede3c480101ade784a7cb9868.png)\n\n- Step 2 - At each end, begin assembling the segments using the semi-autonomous tug\n\n![Step 2 illustrated](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/191726c40a898cc5d3275684c9e834f7.png)\n\n- Step 3 - Complete the main structure of the station in its static configuration\n\n![Step 3 illustrated](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/191726d6dbab3a2f8b9ba30436387886.png)\n\n- Step 4 - The tug uses its multipurpose robot arm with robust visual processing to link up the cables from one side to the other. Using the attachment points on each module.\n\n![Step 4 illustrated](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/191726ee61ed3ab98176ffc49f280070.png)\n\n- Step 5 - The station is complete and can be made to rotate while the cables maintain tension and structural integrity of the extremities of the station\n\n![Step 5 illustrated](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/19172723f3030ba08c4e92a4d1e978b5.png)\n\n# Airlock operations\n\nAll modules have the ability to open/close hatches between each module allowing for isolation of any module has a leak, or even for use as an airlock.\n\n![Airlock A](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/191818f5fc64d610c177d734242956ac.png)\n\nThis can be done through central command for pre-planned outings or automatically during emergencies where a pressure leak is detected beyond a predetermined threshold.\n\n![Airlock B](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/19181908c56596c4864b132478194c76.png)\n\nThere is also a dedicated airlock at the station entrance for visitors coming from spacecraft with different pressure from the station (Apollo 11 was pressurized at 0.3 atmosphere for example)\n\n![Airlock C](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/191819199a2f51b579bf88449ad88cf0.png)\n\n## Control operations\nThere are multiple aspects to control on the station:\n- Attitude control (where the station is pointing)\n- Orbital control (adjusting the trajectory of the station around the Earth)\n- Station rotation (for gravity and stability)\n\n### Attitude control\n\nWith the modular design of the station, small RCS thrusters and reaction wheels will be included in all the modules. They are small and inexpensive, but working as one, they will produce enough control authority to change the station’s attitude. They will all be controlled from a central location. Since the station is continuously rotating there will need to be a smart control mechanism to ensure control of the station is maintained while not causing damage to the structure.\n\n### Orbital control \nThe following shows the results of calculations showing how much propellant would be used to do an orbit transfer from the lowest orbit acceptable back to the nominal orbit. This assumes the nominal orbit is at 550 km and the orbit decays to 500 km. In reality there will need to be further analysis to determine the exact values, however this calculator provides a good order of magnitude. Below is the estimation for the single orbit-raising manoeuvre (two burns) using bi-propellant (UDMH+Nitrogen Tetroxide) engine.\n\n| Station Mass, Dry | Station Mass, Wet | Propellant Mass | deltaV, total | \n| :------ | :------ | :------ | :------ |\n| 850 tonnes | 1550 tonnes | 13.00 tonnes | 27.65 m/s | \n\n*Table 6 - deltaV cost for orbit maintenance*\n\n### Station rotation\nThe rotation will be controlled with same reaction control thrusters as used for attitude control. Thanks to the lack of air resistance the station can keep spinning without additional power.When needed the thrusters can start applying reverse thrust to slow down the rotation.\n\n### Power Generation\nThe station's skin will be covered in solar panels and the panels will be mounted on hinges such that they can flatten out and point at the sun perpendicularly. This will ensure maximum efficiency. The station will always be spinning with its axis pointing at the sun. This will ensure the panels are always able to generate power. At chose orbital altitude eclipse duration will be very roughly estimated at 1/3 of total orbital period, so power system budget should be provisioned as such.\n\nSee table below\n\n| **Solar panel efficiency, EOL** | **Solar Constant, W/m^2** | **Solar Panel Effective Area** | **Total Station Area, m^2** | **Total Power** |\n| :------ | :------ | :------ | :------ | :------ |\n| 15% | 1361 | 30 | 840 | 171 kW |\n\n*Table 7 - power budget estimate*\n\n### Water Management\nWater can be fully recycled at the same way as it is done on ISS (98% is current efficiency estimate) using a distillation process, and fresh water will be brought up when needed on supply ships. Use of water in radiation shielding presents additional reserve that can be used in emergency scenarios.\n\n### Crew Managament \nOne of the proposed augmentation to the environment is an AI assistant integrated into this space hotel could be a highly advanced and multi-functional system, designed to assist the crew and visitors with various tasks and ensure the smooth operation of the hotel and reduce their workload. Here's its detailed description:\n\n#### Core Functions:\n\n**1. Operational Assistance:**\n\n- **System Monitoring:** Continuously monitors all space station systems (life support, power, communication, propulsion, etc.) and alerts the crew to any anomalies or required maintenance.\n\n- **Resource Management:** Tracks the usage and availability of essential supplies such as food, water, and medical supplies, providing real-time updates and forecasts.\n\n**2. Crew Support:**\n\n- **Health Monitoring:** Interfaces with wearable health devices to monitor the physical condition of crew members, offering health tips and reminders for exercise or medication.\n\n- **Task Scheduling:** Manages crew schedules, assigning tasks, and ensuring adherence to timelines.\n\n**3. Communication:**\n\n- **Internal Communication:** Facilitates communication between crew members through voice, text, and video messages.\n\n- **External Communication:** Manages communication with Earth-based mission control and other spacecraft, ensuring data integrity and security.\n\n**4. Safety:**\n\n- **Emergency Response:** Provides guidance during emergencies, such as fire, hull breach, or medical emergencies, offering step-by-step instructions and coordinating responses.\n\n### Interface:\n\n### Wall-Mounted Terminals:\n\n- **Design:** Sleek, touchscreen interfaces placed strategically throughout the space station for easy access.\n\n- **Voice Interaction:** Equipped with high-quality microphones and speakers, allowing for hands-free interaction. Visitors and crew members can issue voice commands, and ASTRA will respond verbally.\n\n- **Visual Display:** High-resolution screens capable of displaying text, graphics, and video. Interfaces can show system statuses, schematics, real-time data, and more.\n\n- Accessibility: Terminals can be adjusted for height and angle, ensuring usability for all crew members.\n\n### User Interaction:\n\n- **Personalized Experience:** Recognizes individual crew members through voice and facial recognition, providing personalized assistance based on their roles and preferences.\n\n- **Context-Aware Responses:** Understands the context of commands and queries, offering relevant information and suggestions. For example, if a crew member asks about the status of an experiment, ASTRA can provide a detailed report and anticipated outcomes.\n\n- **Learning Capability:** Continuously learns from interactions and feedback, improving its assistance and adapting to the crew's evolving needs.\n\n### Security and Privacy:\n\n- **Secure Access:** Implements robust authentication methods, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access sensitive information or critical systems.\n\n- **Data Encryption:** All communications and data are encrypted to protect against unauthorized access and cyber threats.\n\n- **Privacy Settings:** Allows crew members to control the level of access and information ASTRA has, ensuring personal privacy and comfort.\n\n### Maintenance and Updates:\n\n- **Self-Maintenance:** Regularly performs self-diagnosis and updates, ensuring optimal performance and security.\n\n- **Remote Support:** Can receive software updates and technical support from Earth-based mission control, addressing any issues promptly.\nASTRA serves as an indispensable partner to the space station crew, enhancing operational efficiency, safety, and overall mission success.\n\n# Growing food in space\n\nGrowing food in space is essential for long-term missions but challenging due to resource constraints. Researchers have developed stretchy sensors that attach to plants, monitoring their growth by measuring electrical signals. These sensors, made from special polymers, provide data wirelessly, reducing the need for astronaut intervention. They were tested successfully on oat plants, demonstrating resistance to humidity and temperature. Future tests will include leafy greens and tomatoes. These advancements aim to optimize plant growth in space, ensuring astronauts have access to fresh food on extended missions\n\nGrowing food in space has advanced significantly since NASA installed the Vegetable Production System, or \"Veggie,\" on the ISS in 2014. [9] This system tests food cultivation in microgravity, where simple tasks like watering and harvesting become complex. Discoveries from space agriculture, such as LED lighting and controlled-release fertilizers, benefit Earth’s agriculture by improving efficiency and sustainability. NASA collaborates with various partners to develop these technologies, which are crucial for future space missions and have substantial applications for terrestrial farming. The psychological benefits of growing food in space for astronauts are also notable.\n\nThe nutritional value of plants grown in space is notably high, especially when it comes to microgreens. These tiny plants have been found to possess four to ten times the nutritional density of their mature counterparts. This makes them an excellent choice for space cultivation due to their small size and high nutrient content. For instance, microgreens like broccoli and kale offer concentrated nutrients and flavors, which are crucial for supplementing astronauts' diets on long missions where traditional food storage and nutrition can be challenging\n\nIn December 2023, astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) found a tomato that had been missing for eight months. The tomato was lost shortly after NASA astronaut Frank Rubio harvested it in March. Despite extensive searches, the tomato remained elusive until it was discovered by another crew in December. \n\nThe tomato was part of NASA's space botany studies aimed at understanding how to grow fresh food in space for long-term missions. When found, the tomato was dehydrated and slightly squished but showed no signs of microbial or fungal growth. [10] This finding highlights the challenges and unexpected events that can occur during space agriculture experiments.\n\nAs for raising chickens in space, current research has not advanced to the point of attempting to raise live animals such as chickens. The primary focus remains on plants and small organisms due to the complexities of life support systems and the ethical considerations involved in animal husbandry in microgravity environments.\n\nAstronauts aboard the International Space Station tasted space-grown chili peppers for the first time on October 29, 2021. The peppers, part of the Plant Habitat-04 experiment, were grown from July 12 in the Advanced Plant Habitat. [11] This hybrid variety, chosen for its vitamin C content and successful ground test results, required careful environmental control and pollination. The peppers added essential nutrients to the astronauts' diet, supporting long-duration space missions. This experiment marked a significant step in NASA's ongoing research to grow food in space.\n\n### Food growth hydroponics bay\nAs described previously, the food can be grown on-premises, at the hotel. One of the modules will be used as a hydroponics facility, where all of the growth supporting mechanisms will be stored. Because we are limited by the shape of the module, which is cylindrical, the optimal use of space can be achieved with a structure described in the following image:\n\n![Food farm module ](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/1918c342645711fd146406b49cfa39d0.png)\n\nThe growth structure is smaller in diameter than than the module and can rotate to emulate movement and to support gravity direction.\n\nThere are 11 farm beds, thus, the whole hydroponics structure will support 17 plants per farm bed (maximum distance between each plant is 0.5m) or a maximum of 187 plants. The maximum height per plant is 1.5m, which allows free movement of the crew in the center of the module.\n\nThe nutrients for the plants shall all be stored at the ends of the structure and pumps will be use to circulate the nutrients through the farm beds. Because the nutritional solution is mostly water, we can reuse some of the water and redirect it to the hotel’s cooling systems. Before doing that, the water needs to be filtered. The filters will have to be replaced regularly, depending on the number of the plants.\n\nThe power consumption for the hydroponics section is significant but not abnormally high, and can be calculated:\n\n11 light stripes x 45W each = 450W\n2 water pumps x 50 W = 100 W\n1 motor x 40W = 40W\nTotal power usage 590W\n\nTo conserve power and to emulate the daylight, the lights can and will be turned on and off every 12 hours. Note that farm production is not set to be maximized and can be increased with additional lighting and longer illumination hours.\n\nHaving a large number of plants will affect the oxygen concentration in the hotel, considering that 300-400 plants are necessary to produce enough oxygen for one person, the above number of a maximum of 187 plants will produce half of that amount daily. On the opposite side, plants also absorb CO2, therefore this will affect the CO2 concentration too(numbers are unclear at this time).\n\n#### Drinks and refreshments in space\n\nThe concept of alcohol in space has a storied past, involving notable instances such as Buzz Aldrin's communion on the moon and Russian cosmonauts drinking on the Mir space station.\n\nNASA, however, does not include beer or other carbonated beverages in astronauts' diets due to the unique problems posed by microgravity. In the absence of gravity, the gas in carbonated drinks doesn't separate from the liquid, leading to \"wet burps\" as the gas and liquid mix in astronauts' stomachs.\n\nDespite these challenges, experiments have been conducted to explore the feasibility of brewing beer in space. For instance, a University of Colorado graduate student, Kirsten Sterrett, with support from the brewing company Coors, sent a miniature brewing kit into orbit. [12] While the experiment succeeded in producing a small amount of beer, the resulting brew was compromised by the chemicals used in the analysis, rendering it undrinkable.Overall, while brewing beer in space is technically possible, the unique challenges of microgravity, especially related to carbonation and digestion, make it impractical with current technology. The experiments so far have provided valuable insights but highlight the difficulties in creating a palatable space beer.\n\nAccording to this research, we can conclude that growing most of the vegetables that are consumed regularly on Earth can be grown and used to prepare meals in space. The hydroponics area will be separated from the habitat ones to avoid any contamination and other unexpected issues. \n\nThe space kitchen will be located near the dining area and the hydroponics area to allow faster and easier access to the vegetables. \n\nBased on the previous research and facts, we can assemble a menu for our guests to allow them a more enjoyable experience at the space hotel.\n\n**Space hotel menu:**\n1. Salads\n- Lettuce Salad\n- Tomato/Garden Salad\n- Potato Salad\n\n2. Main Courses\n- Veggie Burger (Black Beans)\n- Beef\n- Quail Eggs (Omelette, Boiled Eggs, Veggie Burgers with Quail Eggs)\n\n3. Dehydrated Foods\n- Ration Packs/Dehydrated Food\n- Dehydrated Omelet\n\n4. Desserts\n- Ice Cream\n- Chocolates\n\n5. Beverages\n- Beer\n- Orange Juice\n- Apple Juice\n- Liquor\n- Wine\n\n# Available activities\n\n*Views of Outer Space*\nThe space hotel might still feature windows or observation areas, allowing guests to enjoy stunning views of outer space while swimming. The combination of artificial gravity and panoramic views would create a unique and memorable aquatic experience.\n\n*Spacewalks*\nA spacewalk in a space hotel would be an extraordinary and memorable experience, providing you with the opportunity to float freely in the microgravity environment outside the confines of the hotel. Here's how a spacewalk might look like for you:\n- Preparation:\nBefore embarking on a spacewalk, you would undergo thorough training on how to use the space suit, safety protocols, and how to navigate in microgravity. The space suit is a crucial piece of equipment, providing life support, temperature regulation, and protection against the vacuum of space.\n- Exiting the Space Hotel:\nTo begin the spacewalk, you would exit the space hotel through an airlock or designated entry/exit point. The transition from the interior of the hotel to the vastness of space would be a breathtaking experience. You'd be greeted by the awe-inspiring view of Earth below and the vastness of outer space.\n- Microgravity Floating:\nOnce outside, you would experience the freedom of microgravity. Your movements would be characterised by graceful floating, and you would use handrails, handholds, or small thruster units attached to your spacesuit to navigate in the three-dimensional environment.\n- View of Earth:\nThe view from the spacewalk would be spectacular. You'd see the curvature of the Earth, the thin blue atmosphere, and the darkness of space. The lack of atmospheric distortion would provide an incredibly clear and vivid panorama of our planet.\n- Photography and Documentation:\nSpacewalks are not only about the experience but also about documenting and capturing the moment. You might have tools or cameras attached to your spacesuit to take photographs, record videos, or participate in scientific observations.\n- Hotel Exterior and Features:\nAs you navigate the exterior of the space hotel, you would see its unique design, solar panels, and other features that make it suitable for space habitation. Special viewing platforms or transparent sections might allow you to observe the interior of the hotel from the outside.\n\n*Swimming In Space (Optional)*\nAvailable space and capabilities may allow installation of sub-scale swimming pool, once all the procedures for water management and recyling are established. Water would behave in a familiar manner, and swimming strokes and techniques would closely resemble those used in terrestrial pools. Swimmers would experience buoyancy in a way similar to Earth, making swimming movements more intuitive and natural. The sensation of being in the water and the resistance offered by it would be comparable to what people experience in swimming pools on our home planet. While the swimming environment may be more familiar, safety measures would still be in place. Lifeguards, safety equipment, and clear guidelines for guests would ensure a secure and enjoyable swimming experience.\n\n*AR/VR-augmented activities*\nAn augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) headset can significantly enhance your stay in a space hotel, providing immersive and interactive experiences. Here are several ways in which such a headset might improve your stay:\n\n- Virtual Space Tours\nExplore virtual tours of the space hotel or nearby celestial bodies. VR can overlay information about each area, providing historical facts, scientific details, and interesting anecdotes, making your exploration more educational and engaging. As both microgravity and partial gravity environments are available for the participants, multiple different environment types can be simulated (orbital and atmospheric flights, surface operations)\n\n- Enhanced Views \nUse the AR headset to enhance the views of outer space. Pointing the headset towards the Earth or celestial objects could trigger informative overlays, such as constellations, satellite trajectories, or details about the planets visible at that moment.\n\n- AR Space Fitness Classes:\nParticipate in augmented reality fitness classes tailored for the microgravity environment. The headset could guide you through exercises designed to keep you active and healthy during your stay.\n\n- Augmented Reality Art Galleries:\nExperience augmented reality art installations or galleries within the space hotel. Artists could create three-dimensional digital art that guests can appreciate through their AR headsets, adding a new dimension to the aesthetic atmosphere of the hotel.\n\n- Language Translation and Cultural Insights:\nIf the space hotel attracts a diverse international clientele, AR headsets could provide real-time language translation and cultural insights. This feature ensures smooth communication and a more inclusive experience for guests from around the world.\n\n*Space activities for kids and families*\nIn a space hotel, the unique microgravity environment and the futuristic setting provide opportunities for a variety of exciting and innovative games for both adults and children. Here are some games that you and your kids might enjoy:\n\n- Art and Crafts in Microgravity\nEncourage creativity by organizing art and crafts activities. Floating art supplies and creating three-dimensional art pieces in microgravity can be a unique and enjoyable experience for both kids and adults.\n\n- Microgravity Soccer:\nSet up a floating soccer ball and goals in a designated play area. Players can use handrails, walls, or even each other to navigate and score goals. The lack of gravity adds an interesting twist to traditional soccer.\n\n- Space Bowling:\nSet up a floating bowling alley with specially designed lightweight balls. Players can push the balls off a starting point, and the lack of gravity will allow them to gracefully float toward the pins, adding an element of unpredictability to the game.\n\n- Asteroid Dodgeball:\nAdapt the traditional dodgeball game by incorporating soft, lightweight balls. Players can float and dodge in three dimensions, making the game more challenging and dynamic.\n\n- Microgravity Scavenger Hunt:\nCreate a list of items or clues for a scavenger hunt within the space hotel. Participants must navigate the microgravity environment to find hidden items or complete challenges. This can be a fun and engaging way to explore the space hotel.\n\n- VR/AR Educational Experiences for Kids:\nFor families with children, VR/AR can offer educational content and interactive experiences. Engage in augmented reality games designed specifically for the microgravity environment. Play space-themed puzzles, challenges, or even multiplayer games with fellow guests, adding a social and recreational aspect to your stay. From space-themed storytelling to virtual space exploration games, the VR/AR headset can turn learning into a fun and engaging activity for kids.\n\n**Space Activities Pros and Cons**\nWithin a range of possible activities for space hotels patrons, the major factors to consider are the costs and potential health risks. While microgravity-augmented VR and AR activities will be relatively easy to implement and even can be self-administered, any zero-gravity sports will require presence of additional crew members for safety and guidance. EVAs for customers are even more involved, with spacewalks require supervision and additional training. The risk of emergency situations is also higher for such an activity, therefore not everyone among passengers may qualify for it.\n\n# Costs, schedule and business model considerations. \nIt would be a reasonable assumption to allow for 1 module per month launch schedule for a total of 17 months of initial construction time and 24 months of total construction time with further 7 launches with consumables and commissioning activities combined together.\n\nTotal cost of International Space Station is estimated to be $150B with annual operational budget of $4B. [13]\n\nAssuming near-term projection of space launch cost going down to $1000/kg when Starship becomes available (one order of magnitude below current market low) and station module construction cost roughly equal to launch cost (as often the case with existing space missions), we can estimate the entire mission cost to be $50M to build and $50M to launch, giving the total construction cost of $1.7B (17x100M). Additional 7 launches delivering consumables and other good would add up to another $700M to the total cost of $2.4B. If the same percentage of capital to operational expenses is taken as with ISS, then the expected annual cost will be around $64M/yr. At 25 years of operational lifetime, comparable to existing space stations, that would add to $1.6B of operational costs, for a total of lifetime cost of $4B.\n\nWhile this is a very approximate cost estimate, the value is within the same order of magnitude as planned space stations from Axiom and Blue Origin, in $3-10B range[14, 15]\n\nAssuming gross profit of 3x of the total lifetime costs for a 33% profit margin, we arrive at $12B gross revenue required for successful commercial operations, translated into annual figure of $480M.\n\nAs the station has the capability for 18 people, at 12 revenue-generating passengers and 6 crew,with utilization factor of 10 months per year and and taking into account 17 months of initial construction cost and 6 months of commissioning (non-operational time), we can calculate the cost of monthly gross profit of 52M. For a single man-month we have $4.3M of gross profit required and for a single man-day of $144K.\n\nThat translates into weekly stay for a single person at $1M - within the realm of today's space industry capabilities\n\n# Development risks\nMost of the technology used for our space design do not require any additional scientific R&D, as existing solutions used on previous generations of space stations (ISS, Mir, Salyut, Skylab) can be utilized, scaled up as required.\n\nAs with every new engineering project, there will be a considerable amount of the engineering research and design work. With that in mind, a pathfinder/pilot projects can be used as such, for example a smaller scale space station, consisting only of central hub and only two habitat modules, with support for rotational artificial gravity as well - to understand challenges required for construction and operations, including assembly, docking and spin-up/spin-down procedures. \n\nAlternatively, reduced module dimensions can be used for pilot project construction, similar to the current ISS ones (4.2x8.4m), that would full allow almost entire of possible operations with the benefit of reducing size, mass and cost of the entire station.\n\n# References\n1. Kingston JC, Fong KJ. Artificial gravity as a multi-system countermeasure to the physiological effects of long duration space flight. Cranfield: 2007\n\n2. Clément, G, Charles JB, Norsk P, Paloski WH. Artificial Gravity, version 6.0\n(NASA Human Research Program, Human Health Countermeasures Element,\nEvidence Report).Houston, Texas, USA: NASA Johnson Space Center. (2015\nMay 12).\n\n3. Hall TW. Artificial Gravity in Theory and Practice (ICES-2016-194). 46th International Conference on Environmental Systems (ICES), Vienna, Austria, 10-14 July 2016. Lubbock Texas, USA: Texas Tech University. (2016 July).\n\n4. Hoegenauer E, Wagner K. Artificial gravity for long duration manned space\nflight, Space Programs and Technologies Conference and Exhibit. AIAA SPACE, Forum 1994.\n\n5. Jinyu Liu Li Gangqiang Z. H. Zhu Xingqun Zhan. Orbital Boost Characteristics of Spacecraft by Electrodynamic Tethers with Consideration of Electric-Magnetic-Dynamic Energy Coupling. March 2020 Acta Astronautica Issue 171 (2020)\n\n6. Ma, Fujian & Zhang, Xiaohong & Li, Xingxing & Cheng, Junlong & Guo, Fei & Hu, Jiahuan & Pan, Lin. (2020). Hybrid constellation design using a genetic algorithm for a LEO-based navigation augmentation system. GPS Solutions. 24. 10.1007/s10291-020-00977-0.\n\n7. https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products/astrorad---what-you-wear-in-space-could-save-your-life.html (accessed Aug 29, 2024)\n\n8. https://spaceq.ca/mda-space-unveils-skymaker/ ((accessed Aug 29, 2024)\n\n9. https://www.nasa.gov/missions/station/veggie-plant-growth-system-activated-on-international-space-station/ (accessed Aug 31, 2024)\n\n10. https://www.nasa.gov/missions/station/iss-research/nasa-lets-ketchup-on-international-space-station-tomato-research/ (accessed Aug 31, 2024)\n\n11. https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/astronauts-have-first-taste-of-peppers-grown-space/ (accessed Aug 31, 2024)\n\n12. https://www.drinkingcolorado.com/features/to_bodly_go_beer.php (accessed Aug 31, 2024)\n\n13. https://www.planetary.org/articles/20180220-bye-iss-hello-private-stations (accessed Aug 31, 2024)\n\n14. https://www.geekwire.com/2021/blue-origin-teams-sierra-space-boeing-others-orbital-reef-space-station-project/\n\n15. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-31/nasa-vet-and-space-mogul-aim-to-build-97-cheaper-space-station","teamDescription":"Dennis Silin - project manager\n\nBojan Seirovski - space activity engineer\n\nPaul Le Henaff - design and systems engineering","githubPage":"https://github.com/DarkStar1982/vanaheimr/","githubVerify":0,"demoLink":null,"demoVideo":null,"ownerTitle":null,"ownerIntroduction":null,"twitterVerified":false,"weibo":null,"nft":null,"scOwner":"","editTime":1725220861,"upvotes":"0.00","isRecruitingEnabled":false,"recruitingInfo":"","recruitingLink":null,"twitter":"exodusorbitals","facebook":null,"instagram":null,"socialTelegram":null,"socialDiscord":null,"socialLinks":[],"showedFunding":false,"agentStatus":null,"createdAt":"2024-01-29T08:09:02.206652+08:00","updatedAt":"2024-09-02T04:01:01.163849+08:00","milestoneEditor":84554,"path":"/buidl/9386","techField":"","techFieldAry":[],"techTree":[2],"tags":[],"otherTags":[],"origin":"-","intro":"# Introduction\n\nOne of the major challenges in space exploration is the lack of suitable destinations for the people to travel to, within the constraints of modern technology. We will provide a solution to this challenge in the form of a space hotel, utilizing the capabilities of the SpaceX Starship heavy lift launch system. \n\nIn addition to the micro gravity modules of the space hotel station, we will also include an artificial gravity segment that can simulate natural gravity up to Moon (0.166g) and Martian level (0.378g). This will allow a wider range of entertainment and research activities compared to the previous generation of space stations, such as Mir, ISS or Tiangong. Furthermore, this capability will allow generation of valuable life science data for the future interplanetary colonists.\n\n# Station Design\n\nThe obvious station design to allow artificial gravity would be a full ring structure, potentially with multiple rings providing different levels of gravity. However, due to the limit on the number of Starship launches available, a partial ring is more feasible option.\n\nBased on the results of artificial gravity trade-offs, a diameter of around 75m is needed to have a comfortable level of low gravity. The partial ring of the station rotates around the hub, and the hub’s main body stays stationary to allow spacecraft to dock more easily without having to match rotation speed. The structure of the station is maintained thanks to cables between the modules.\n\n![space stations.png](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/18d528f093b7396cbed583642daa69be.png)\n\nIt is made up of a total of 17 modules of 4 types:\n- **Central hub** This module has a central stationary part where the airlock is located. There is also a welcoming directly after the guests exit the airlock after arriving. There is a rotating collar where the two main arms/corridors of the station connect to the artificial gravity section.\n\n![central_hun.png](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/18d52980c0641c86cc5dbf24a95b7156.png)\n\n- **Multipurpose** This type of module is very versatile, and is primarily used to connect the hub to the partial ring sections. Multiple modules are stacked to create the diameter of the partial ring needed to achieve the target artificial gravity. This module can be packed with required equipment at launch and everything can be connected in orbit during assembly. The module is used in the arms of the station and packed with life support machines and supplies needed to run the station. The module has the largest continuous interior by default so it is also used as a multi purpose room in the partial ring for sports and other activities.\n\n![mpm.png](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/18d529eaabb352d8825ab904693a2e91.png)\n\n- **Sleeping quarters**. This module contains up to 6 double rooms\n\n![stores.png](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/18d529dbff484c8905f572b48bb948f3.png)\n\n- **T-section** This module links the sleeping quarters to the rest of the station. It has a kitchen and communal areas for eating and relaxing.\n\n![t_cell.jpg](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/18d52b90eab556c6f6ebea64d94a0f4c.jpg)\n\n# Specifications\n\n*Summary*\n\n| **Station Diameter** | **Mass, dry** | **Mass, wet** | **Capacity** | **Power budget** | \n| :------ | :------ | :------ | :------ | :------ |\n| 75 m | 850 tonnes | 1550 tonnes | 18 people | 171 kW |\n\n*Table 1 - Space Hotel space station summary*\n\n# Artificial Gravity Considerations\nFor a rotating structure, its artificial gravity level can be assumed as the centripetal acceleration at the rim of the structure. The formula will be:\n\n*a=w² * r*\n\nHere r is rotation radius in meters, and w is rotational rate in rad/s. (REF 36, p.9). Below is the map of relation between rotation radius and angular velocity for given centripetal acceleration/artificial gravity level:\n\n![Screenshot 2024-08-21 at 7.52.43 PM.png](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/191775bea55be902474ff884b4aab65a.png)\n[1, p. 43]\n\n**why choice of 0.166g (Lunar gravity) and 0.378g (Martian gravity) are important as design points?**\n\nWhen it comes to understanding the impact of fractional gravity on human is mostly unknown - any data points on this subject will massively improve our understanding of the required level for long-term survival of of human. \n \nFurthermore, the knowledge of long-term exposure to this level of gravity would be critical to understand the health impact on the population of any future Martian or Lunar surface colony, especially on the gestation and health of second-generation colonists. \n\nStation architecture also allows rotation at lower levels of artificial gravity, simulating environment for all other smaller bodies and minor planets in Solar System (like Ceres, Pluto, moons of giant planets and so on).\n\nIn addition to the main parameter of the artificial gravity magnitude, there are also a list of secondary effects for human inhabitants, listed below\n\n- **Artificial gravity gradient**\n\nThis is the variation of artificial gravity level between the different parts of human body, measured at head and feet distance, expressed as *∆A_c=(r-h)/r*\n\nHere r is the centrifugal radius and is h the distance between the feet and head of an astronaut. There is no reliably known limits for this value, but currently available body of research indicated that values of up to 15% are well-tolerated [4, p.5]\n\n- **Coriolis force**\n\nAny linear motion along the habitat will produce an extra acceleration different from natural gravity environment, defined as: A_cor=-2*(w×v)\n\nHere w is angular velocity, v is velocity of the moving object, with the resulting acceleration defined as cross product of above values ([1, p. 38). Its magnitude is maximum when the moving object velocity vector is perpendicular to the rotation vector.\n\n- **Cross-coupled acceleration**\n\nCross-coupled acceleration appears during any rotational motion during the induced centrifugation. Its formula is: *A_cca=w×wx*\n\nHere *w* represents the angular velocity of the rotational environment and *wx* is the angular velocity of the rotating object. The absolute value of cross coupled acceleration acting on a human crew member is the sum of said angular acceleration and the cross product of the above values. ([2, p.12).\n\n- **Euler force acceleration during acceleration and deceleration**\n\nThis is a transient force due to spin-up and spin-down phases, defined as *A_euler=-dw/dt×R*\n\nHere *-dw/dt* is the angular acceleration/deceleration and R is the vector position of the point where acceleration is measured relative to the axis of rotation ([2, p.42). This acceleration increases in magnitude with greater distance from the center of rotation.\n\n- **Summary of acceleration components in the rotating environment**\n\nThe total acceleration acting on the point object in rotating reference frame is\n\n*A_total = A_c + A_cor + A_cca + A_euler*\n\nDefinition of comfort zone and dimensions for the rotational gravity takes into account the secondary effects/acceleration factors. The magnitude of these effects will vary depending on the scenario in question. Stationary observers in a uniformly rotating environment will only experience centripetal acceleration, while moving objects in the same environment may experience Coriolis and cross-coupled accelerations.\n\n*Sensitivity thresholds and comfort zone identified*\nOver the 60 years of space exploration history a number of studies were dedicated to establishing upper and lower limits of artificial gravity, Coriolis force and gravity gradient. Note that sensitivity by itself doesn't imply any negative impact on human performance. Vestibular apparatus adapts successfully to motion sickness both at Earth’s gravity level on marine and airborne vessels and in space during weightlessness conditions. To summarize the current understanding of human physiology in rotating environments, a chart shows all of the available parameters with the hypothesized \"comfort zone\" highlighted:\n\n![ag.png](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/18d5c2025ce0d9ccc5c2b08420da8e0a.png)\n[3, p. 7]\n\nWith respect to chart above for artificial gravity comfort zone, we get the following specification for the station parameters:\n\n| *Artificial gravity level** | **Revolutions per minute** | **Artificial gravity gradient** | **Tangential velocity** | **Rotational radius** | **Comments** |\n| :------ | :------ | :------ | :------ | :------ | :------ |\n| 1.66 m/s^2 | 2.00 | 4.85% | 7.77 m/s | 37.5 m | Moon gravity \n| 3.17 m/s^2 | 3.00 | 4.79% | 11.80 m/s | 37.5 m | Martian gravity \n\n*Table 2 - Artificial gravity environment parameters*\n\nIllustrated below is the station environment with respect to artificial gravity parameters chart:\n\n![Artificial_gravity_our_station.png](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/191aa422f267644084446b342869cb76.png)\n\n# Operations overview\nInitial mission operations assume 17 launches at 50% load capacity + 2 launches at 100% for tug operations, allowing a margin of safety for each launch plus spare launches available for contingency scenarios. \n\nAfter station assembly additional cargo can be brought aboard, both consumables like food, water, oxygen, fuel etc and additional structural or functional components. A total of 7 launches at 100% Starship payload capacity (700 tonnes) will bring the necessary equipment and consumables onboard after station assembly, keeping the total number of launches at the limit of 24.\n\nAmong the possible orbits for space hotel station (LEO, SSO, MEO or GEO)\nThe optimal orbit , taking into the consideration all available parameters selected to be of 550 km altitude at 28.5 inclination (assuming Cape Canaveral launch site), minimizing radiation exposure, residual atmosphere drag and space debris risk, as illustrated in the charts below:\n\n![chart_drag.png](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/18d57336d48226c4a8a1632403eabded.png)\n[5, Fig. 8]\n\n![chart_rad_debris.png](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/18d5736158b3176fb7d41ce4adcaf6f8.png)\n[6, Fig. 3]\n\nOrbit visualization\n\n![3D view.png](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/18d5736e1ea61c5fe5614c24ccbb7d3e.png)\n\nGround track\n\n![gmat_sim.png](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/18d57370ece6977b3934f214bd28a94f.png)\n\nThe choice of orbit and design allows interoperation with existing cargo and crewed spacecraft for resupply, guest rotation and emergency egress procedures without excessive modifications. To facilitate in-orbit assembly for proposed space hotel, additional robotic tug spacecraft with a robotic arm can be utilized, as illustrated below, with sufficient propellant to perform all assembly operations:\n\n![tug_1.png](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/18d573e6872b0e15bf1c011442b9f136.png)\n\nThe space tug is designed to fit inside Starship fairing dimensions, illustrated below:\n\n![space_tug.png](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/18d57ced652e4a1847b28434bcf93230.png)\n\nIt will have sufficient fuel load to perform all necessary assembly activities at the target orbit, assuming the following specifications:\n\n|**Total mass** | **Fuel mass** | **Diameter** | **dV** | \n| :------ | :------ | :------ | :------ |\n| 100.0 tonnes | 80.0 tonnes | 6m | 5.1 km/s |\n\n*Table 3 - Orbital Tug specs*\n\n## Radiation Environment Considerations\nThere are multiple sources of radiation at LEO: constant background from (mostly protons) lower edge of Van Allen radiation belt, galactic particle rays as well as episodic events such as CMEs, solar flares and gamma-ray bursts. Each of them require different shielding strategies, but to simplify things, low-energy (<10 MeV) charged particles and gamma-rays are most efficiently stopped by heavy, dense metals, but higher-energy (>20 MeV) particles have to rely on lower density materials with higher proportion of hydrogen atoms (polyethylene, paraffin or water) due to induced secondary radiation. Radiation levels at 550 km altitude are significantly more elevated compared to ISS orbital altitude and will require additional shielding to allow the inhabitants to stay within the same annual limit.\n\n## Station outer shell design\nPreliminary calculations using NASA OLTARIS tool (tables 2-3) showed that 35g/cm^2 of water shielding is sufficient to reduce the total annual dose below the ISS-equivalent safety limit within 150 milliSieverts per year under most of the expected conditions.\n\n| **Data** | **Daily dose** | **Annual dose** | **Unit** | \n| :------ | :------ | :------ | :------ |\n| Earth Orbit GCR | 0.09916 | 36.19 | mSv |\n| Trapped + albedo | 0.3004 | 109.7 | mSv |\n| ***Total*** | ***0.3996*** | ***146.6*** | ***mSv*** |\n\n*Table 4 - AP9 solar cycle averaged + 2001 Solar Maximum*\n\n| **Data** | **Daily dose** | **Annual dose** | **Unit** | \n| :------ | :------ | :------ | :------ |\n| Earth Orbit GCR | 0.1144 | 41.76 | mSv |\n| Trapped + albedo | 0.3004 | 109.7 | mSv |\n| ***Total*** | ***0.4148*** | ***151.4*** | ***mSv*** |\n\n*Table 5 - AP9 solar cycle averaged + 2001 Solar Maximum*\n\nModule structure is assumed to be composed of the 50 mm Al-alloy pressure hull augmented by inner shielding formed by 10 mm polyethylene and 10 mm of teflon with 350mm of spacing that can be filled with water, with teflon being chosen for the crew-facing wall to reduce flammability hazards. Total thickness of the module’s wall is 420 mm and area density is 51.7 g/cm^2.\n\n![Module structure](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/1916d51754291cefd5258274041b9fc2.png)\n\nAdditional measures can include screening of crew and passengers-candidates for high-risk cancer markers in their genomes and personalizing their daily schedule with respect to the radiation exposure and adding radioprotective food into the astronaut’s diet.Individual radiation shielding can be also added to crew and passengers work suites, using solutions such as AstroRad by LM (illustrated).\n\n![Astrorad vest](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/1916d5be82f02d474bfe2894b4e9f021.png)\n[7]\n\n# Assembly Operations and Cable Management\nBuilding the station and installing the tension cables will require the tug to have a visual processing system for autonomous, or semi autonomous operation, and one or more robotic arms. \n\nThe space industry is seeing more and more developments in edge computing that will allow this to happen. We are seeing the kind of computing that allows complex processing of data such as Visual Odometry, detection, and tracking of objects in space for Rendez-vous and Docking.\n\nRobotic arms used to be a cause for concern due to their complexity and the difficult space environment, however in recent years many companies have unveiled their robotics heavy missions.\n\nClear space is planning on using a multi arm space tug for clearing large space debris. And MDA has unveiled their Skymaker suite of robot arms for commercial space.\n\n![MDA Skymaker Arm](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/1917262bb296fb96ef829554bf69a05b.png)\n[8]\n\nGiven that the technological development is well on its way, station building will make heavy use of robot arms and visual processing. \nThe modules will have attachment points, and the cable will be laid out by the tug, and using the robot arms to attach itself, and another to install the cable, it will link all the modules in such a way as to maintain tension when the station is made to rotate\n\nThe tug uses a combination of Visual Odometry and machine learning to estimate its position, and that of the robot arm in 3D space in order to perform the attachment maneuvers. It is possible to use other visual cues such as markers to increase the reliability of the visual processing system.\n\n![Attachment Point Close-Up](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/19172646c27b03ffddfa03b47468fb04.png)\n\n## Assembly procedure - details\n\n- Step 1 - Build the spine of the station\n\n![Step 1 illustrated](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/1917266ede3c480101ade784a7cb9868.png)\n\n- Step 2 - At each end, begin assembling the segments using the semi-autonomous tug\n\n![Step 2 illustrated](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/191726c40a898cc5d3275684c9e834f7.png)\n\n- Step 3 - Complete the main structure of the station in its static configuration\n\n![Step 3 illustrated](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/191726d6dbab3a2f8b9ba30436387886.png)\n\n- Step 4 - The tug uses its multipurpose robot arm with robust visual processing to link up the cables from one side to the other. Using the attachment points on each module.\n\n![Step 4 illustrated](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/191726ee61ed3ab98176ffc49f280070.png)\n\n- Step 5 - The station is complete and can be made to rotate while the cables maintain tension and structural integrity of the extremities of the station\n\n![Step 5 illustrated](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/19172723f3030ba08c4e92a4d1e978b5.png)\n\n# Airlock operations\n\nAll modules have the ability to open/close hatches between each module allowing for isolation of any module has a leak, or even for use as an airlock.\n\n![Airlock A](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/191818f5fc64d610c177d734242956ac.png)\n\nThis can be done through central command for pre-planned outings or automatically during emergencies where a pressure leak is detected beyond a predetermined threshold.\n\n![Airlock B](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/19181908c56596c4864b132478194c76.png)\n\nThere is also a dedicated airlock at the station entrance for visitors coming from spacecraft with different pressure from the station (Apollo 11 was pressurized at 0.3 atmosphere for example)\n\n![Airlock C](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/191819199a2f51b579bf88449ad88cf0.png)\n\n## Control operations\nThere are multiple aspects to control on the station:\n- Attitude control (where the station is pointing)\n- Orbital control (adjusting the trajectory of the station around the Earth)\n- Station rotation (for gravity and stability)\n\n### Attitude control\n\nWith the modular design of the station, small RCS thrusters and reaction wheels will be included in all the modules. They are small and inexpensive, but working as one, they will produce enough control authority to change the station’s attitude. They will all be controlled from a central location. Since the station is continuously rotating there will need to be a smart control mechanism to ensure control of the station is maintained while not causing damage to the structure.\n\n### Orbital control \nThe following shows the results of calculations showing how much propellant would be used to do an orbit transfer from the lowest orbit acceptable back to the nominal orbit. This assumes the nominal orbit is at 550 km and the orbit decays to 500 km. In reality there will need to be further analysis to determine the exact values, however this calculator provides a good order of magnitude. Below is the estimation for the single orbit-raising manoeuvre (two burns) using bi-propellant (UDMH+Nitrogen Tetroxide) engine.\n\n| Station Mass, Dry | Station Mass, Wet | Propellant Mass | deltaV, total | \n| :------ | :------ | :------ | :------ |\n| 850 tonnes | 1550 tonnes | 13.00 tonnes | 27.65 m/s | \n\n*Table 6 - deltaV cost for orbit maintenance*\n\n### Station rotation\nThe rotation will be controlled with same reaction control thrusters as used for attitude control. Thanks to the lack of air resistance the station can keep spinning without additional power.When needed the thrusters can start applying reverse thrust to slow down the rotation.\n\n### Power Generation\nThe station's skin will be covered in solar panels and the panels will be mounted on hinges such that they can flatten out and point at the sun perpendicularly. This will ensure maximum efficiency. The station will always be spinning with its axis pointing at the sun. This will ensure the panels are always able to generate power. At chose orbital altitude eclipse duration will be very roughly estimated at 1/3 of total orbital period, so power system budget should be provisioned as such.\n\nSee table below\n\n| **Solar panel efficiency, EOL** | **Solar Constant, W/m^2** | **Solar Panel Effective Area** | **Total Station Area, m^2** | **Total Power** |\n| :------ | :------ | :------ | :------ | :------ |\n| 15% | 1361 | 30 | 840 | 171 kW |\n\n*Table 7 - power budget estimate*\n\n### Water Management\nWater can be fully recycled at the same way as it is done on ISS (98% is current efficiency estimate) using a distillation process, and fresh water will be brought up when needed on supply ships. Use of water in radiation shielding presents additional reserve that can be used in emergency scenarios.\n\n### Crew Managament \nOne of the proposed augmentation to the environment is an AI assistant integrated into this space hotel could be a highly advanced and multi-functional system, designed to assist the crew and visitors with various tasks and ensure the smooth operation of the hotel and reduce their workload. Here's its detailed description:\n\n#### Core Functions:\n\n**1. Operational Assistance:**\n\n- **System Monitoring:** Continuously monitors all space station systems (life support, power, communication, propulsion, etc.) and alerts the crew to any anomalies or required maintenance.\n\n- **Resource Management:** Tracks the usage and availability of essential supplies such as food, water, and medical supplies, providing real-time updates and forecasts.\n\n**2. Crew Support:**\n\n- **Health Monitoring:** Interfaces with wearable health devices to monitor the physical condition of crew members, offering health tips and reminders for exercise or medication.\n\n- **Task Scheduling:** Manages crew schedules, assigning tasks, and ensuring adherence to timelines.\n\n**3. Communication:**\n\n- **Internal Communication:** Facilitates communication between crew members through voice, text, and video messages.\n\n- **External Communication:** Manages communication with Earth-based mission control and other spacecraft, ensuring data integrity and security.\n\n**4. Safety:**\n\n- **Emergency Response:** Provides guidance during emergencies, such as fire, hull breach, or medical emergencies, offering step-by-step instructions and coordinating responses.\n\n### Interface:\n\n### Wall-Mounted Terminals:\n\n- **Design:** Sleek, touchscreen interfaces placed strategically throughout the space station for easy access.\n\n- **Voice Interaction:** Equipped with high-quality microphones and speakers, allowing for hands-free interaction. Visitors and crew members can issue voice commands, and ASTRA will respond verbally.\n\n- **Visual Display:** High-resolution screens capable of displaying text, graphics, and video. Interfaces can show system statuses, schematics, real-time data, and more.\n\n- Accessibility: Terminals can be adjusted for height and angle, ensuring usability for all crew members.\n\n### User Interaction:\n\n- **Personalized Experience:** Recognizes individual crew members through voice and facial recognition, providing personalized assistance based on their roles and preferences.\n\n- **Context-Aware Responses:** Understands the context of commands and queries, offering relevant information and suggestions. For example, if a crew member asks about the status of an experiment, ASTRA can provide a detailed report and anticipated outcomes.\n\n- **Learning Capability:** Continuously learns from interactions and feedback, improving its assistance and adapting to the crew's evolving needs.\n\n### Security and Privacy:\n\n- **Secure Access:** Implements robust authentication methods, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access sensitive information or critical systems.\n\n- **Data Encryption:** All communications and data are encrypted to protect against unauthorized access and cyber threats.\n\n- **Privacy Settings:** Allows crew members to control the level of access and information ASTRA has, ensuring personal privacy and comfort.\n\n### Maintenance and Updates:\n\n- **Self-Maintenance:** Regularly performs self-diagnosis and updates, ensuring optimal performance and security.\n\n- **Remote Support:** Can receive software updates and technical support from Earth-based mission control, addressing any issues promptly.\nASTRA serves as an indispensable partner to the space station crew, enhancing operational efficiency, safety, and overall mission success.\n\n# Growing food in space\n\nGrowing food in space is essential for long-term missions but challenging due to resource constraints. Researchers have developed stretchy sensors that attach to plants, monitoring their growth by measuring electrical signals. These sensors, made from special polymers, provide data wirelessly, reducing the need for astronaut intervention. They were tested successfully on oat plants, demonstrating resistance to humidity and temperature. Future tests will include leafy greens and tomatoes. These advancements aim to optimize plant growth in space, ensuring astronauts have access to fresh food on extended missions\n\nGrowing food in space has advanced significantly since NASA installed the Vegetable Production System, or \"Veggie,\" on the ISS in 2014. [9] This system tests food cultivation in microgravity, where simple tasks like watering and harvesting become complex. Discoveries from space agriculture, such as LED lighting and controlled-release fertilizers, benefit Earth’s agriculture by improving efficiency and sustainability. NASA collaborates with various partners to develop these technologies, which are crucial for future space missions and have substantial applications for terrestrial farming. The psychological benefits of growing food in space for astronauts are also notable.\n\nThe nutritional value of plants grown in space is notably high, especially when it comes to microgreens. These tiny plants have been found to possess four to ten times the nutritional density of their mature counterparts. This makes them an excellent choice for space cultivation due to their small size and high nutrient content. For instance, microgreens like broccoli and kale offer concentrated nutrients and flavors, which are crucial for supplementing astronauts' diets on long missions where traditional food storage and nutrition can be challenging\n\nIn December 2023, astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) found a tomato that had been missing for eight months. The tomato was lost shortly after NASA astronaut Frank Rubio harvested it in March. Despite extensive searches, the tomato remained elusive until it was discovered by another crew in December. \n\nThe tomato was part of NASA's space botany studies aimed at understanding how to grow fresh food in space for long-term missions. When found, the tomato was dehydrated and slightly squished but showed no signs of microbial or fungal growth. [10] This finding highlights the challenges and unexpected events that can occur during space agriculture experiments.\n\nAs for raising chickens in space, current research has not advanced to the point of attempting to raise live animals such as chickens. The primary focus remains on plants and small organisms due to the complexities of life support systems and the ethical considerations involved in animal husbandry in microgravity environments.\n\nAstronauts aboard the International Space Station tasted space-grown chili peppers for the first time on October 29, 2021. The peppers, part of the Plant Habitat-04 experiment, were grown from July 12 in the Advanced Plant Habitat. [11] This hybrid variety, chosen for its vitamin C content and successful ground test results, required careful environmental control and pollination. The peppers added essential nutrients to the astronauts' diet, supporting long-duration space missions. This experiment marked a significant step in NASA's ongoing research to grow food in space.\n\n### Food growth hydroponics bay\nAs described previously, the food can be grown on-premises, at the hotel. One of the modules will be used as a hydroponics facility, where all of the growth supporting mechanisms will be stored. Because we are limited by the shape of the module, which is cylindrical, the optimal use of space can be achieved with a structure described in the following image:\n\n![Food farm module ](https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/1918c342645711fd146406b49cfa39d0.png)\n\nThe growth structure is smaller in diameter than than the module and can rotate to emulate movement and to support gravity direction.\n\nThere are 11 farm beds, thus, the whole hydroponics structure will support 17 plants per farm bed (maximum distance between each plant is 0.5m) or a maximum of 187 plants. The maximum height per plant is 1.5m, which allows free movement of the crew in the center of the module.\n\nThe nutrients for the plants shall all be stored at the ends of the structure and pumps will be use to circulate the nutrients through the farm beds. Because the nutritional solution is mostly water, we can reuse some of the water and redirect it to the hotel’s cooling systems. Before doing that, the water needs to be filtered. The filters will have to be replaced regularly, depending on the number of the plants.\n\nThe power consumption for the hydroponics section is significant but not abnormally high, and can be calculated:\n\n11 light stripes x 45W each = 450W\n2 water pumps x 50 W = 100 W\n1 motor x 40W = 40W\nTotal power usage 590W\n\nTo conserve power and to emulate the daylight, the lights can and will be turned on and off every 12 hours. Note that farm production is not set to be maximized and can be increased with additional lighting and longer illumination hours.\n\nHaving a large number of plants will affect the oxygen concentration in the hotel, considering that 300-400 plants are necessary to produce enough oxygen for one person, the above number of a maximum of 187 plants will produce half of that amount daily. On the opposite side, plants also absorb CO2, therefore this will affect the CO2 concentration too(numbers are unclear at this time).\n\n#### Drinks and refreshments in space\n\nThe concept of alcohol in space has a storied past, involving notable instances such as Buzz Aldrin's communion on the moon and Russian cosmonauts drinking on the Mir space station.\n\nNASA, however, does not include beer or other carbonated beverages in astronauts' diets due to the unique problems posed by microgravity. In the absence of gravity, the gas in carbonated drinks doesn't separate from the liquid, leading to \"wet burps\" as the gas and liquid mix in astronauts' stomachs.\n\nDespite these challenges, experiments have been conducted to explore the feasibility of brewing beer in space. For instance, a University of Colorado graduate student, Kirsten Sterrett, with support from the brewing company Coors, sent a miniature brewing kit into orbit. [12] While the experiment succeeded in producing a small amount of beer, the resulting brew was compromised by the chemicals used in the analysis, rendering it undrinkable.Overall, while brewing beer in space is technically possible, the unique challenges of microgravity, especially related to carbonation and digestion, make it impractical with current technology. The experiments so far have provided valuable insights but highlight the difficulties in creating a palatable space beer.\n\nAccording to this research, we can conclude that growing most of the vegetables that are consumed regularly on Earth can be grown and used to prepare meals in space. The hydroponics area will be separated from the habitat ones to avoid any contamination and other unexpected issues. \n\nThe space kitchen will be located near the dining area and the hydroponics area to allow faster and easier access to the vegetables. \n\nBased on the previous research and facts, we can assemble a menu for our guests to allow them a more enjoyable experience at the space hotel.\n\n**Space hotel menu:**\n1. Salads\n- Lettuce Salad\n- Tomato/Garden Salad\n- Potato Salad\n\n2. Main Courses\n- Veggie Burger (Black Beans)\n- Beef\n- Quail Eggs (Omelette, Boiled Eggs, Veggie Burgers with Quail Eggs)\n\n3. Dehydrated Foods\n- Ration Packs/Dehydrated Food\n- Dehydrated Omelet\n\n4. Desserts\n- Ice Cream\n- Chocolates\n\n5. Beverages\n- Beer\n- Orange Juice\n- Apple Juice\n- Liquor\n- Wine\n\n# Available activities\n\n*Views of Outer Space*\nThe space hotel might still feature windows or observation areas, allowing guests to enjoy stunning views of outer space while swimming. The combination of artificial gravity and panoramic views would create a unique and memorable aquatic experience.\n\n*Spacewalks*\nA spacewalk in a space hotel would be an extraordinary and memorable experience, providing you with the opportunity to float freely in the microgravity environment outside the confines of the hotel. Here's how a spacewalk might look like for you:\n- Preparation:\nBefore embarking on a spacewalk, you would undergo thorough training on how to use the space suit, safety protocols, and how to navigate in microgravity. The space suit is a crucial piece of equipment, providing life support, temperature regulation, and protection against the vacuum of space.\n- Exiting the Space Hotel:\nTo begin the spacewalk, you would exit the space hotel through an airlock or designated entry/exit point. The transition from the interior of the hotel to the vastness of space would be a breathtaking experience. You'd be greeted by the awe-inspiring view of Earth below and the vastness of outer space.\n- Microgravity Floating:\nOnce outside, you would experience the freedom of microgravity. Your movements would be characterised by graceful floating, and you would use handrails, handholds, or small thruster units attached to your spacesuit to navigate in the three-dimensional environment.\n- View of Earth:\nThe view from the spacewalk would be spectacular. You'd see the curvature of the Earth, the thin blue atmosphere, and the darkness of space. The lack of atmospheric distortion would provide an incredibly clear and vivid panorama of our planet.\n- Photography and Documentation:\nSpacewalks are not only about the experience but also about documenting and capturing the moment. You might have tools or cameras attached to your spacesuit to take photographs, record videos, or participate in scientific observations.\n- Hotel Exterior and Features:\nAs you navigate the exterior of the space hotel, you would see its unique design, solar panels, and other features that make it suitable for space habitation. Special viewing platforms or transparent sections might allow you to observe the interior of the hotel from the outside.\n\n*Swimming In Space (Optional)*\nAvailable space and capabilities may allow installation of sub-scale swimming pool, once all the procedures for water management and recyling are established. Water would behave in a familiar manner, and swimming strokes and techniques would closely resemble those used in terrestrial pools. Swimmers would experience buoyancy in a way similar to Earth, making swimming movements more intuitive and natural. The sensation of being in the water and the resistance offered by it would be comparable to what people experience in swimming pools on our home planet. While the swimming environment may be more familiar, safety measures would still be in place. Lifeguards, safety equipment, and clear guidelines for guests would ensure a secure and enjoyable swimming experience.\n\n*AR/VR-augmented activities*\nAn augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) headset can significantly enhance your stay in a space hotel, providing immersive and interactive experiences. Here are several ways in which such a headset might improve your stay:\n\n- Virtual Space Tours\nExplore virtual tours of the space hotel or nearby celestial bodies. VR can overlay information about each area, providing historical facts, scientific details, and interesting anecdotes, making your exploration more educational and engaging. As both microgravity and partial gravity environments are available for the participants, multiple different environment types can be simulated (orbital and atmospheric flights, surface operations)\n\n- Enhanced Views \nUse the AR headset to enhance the views of outer space. Pointing the headset towards the Earth or celestial objects could trigger informative overlays, such as constellations, satellite trajectories, or details about the planets visible at that moment.\n\n- AR Space Fitness Classes:\nParticipate in augmented reality fitness classes tailored for the microgravity environment. The headset could guide you through exercises designed to keep you active and healthy during your stay.\n\n- Augmented Reality Art Galleries:\nExperience augmented reality art installations or galleries within the space hotel. Artists could create three-dimensional digital art that guests can appreciate through their AR headsets, adding a new dimension to the aesthetic atmosphere of the hotel.\n\n- Language Translation and Cultural Insights:\nIf the space hotel attracts a diverse international clientele, AR headsets could provide real-time language translation and cultural insights. This feature ensures smooth communication and a more inclusive experience for guests from around the world.\n\n*Space activities for kids and families*\nIn a space hotel, the unique microgravity environment and the futuristic setting provide opportunities for a variety of exciting and innovative games for both adults and children. Here are some games that you and your kids might enjoy:\n\n- Art and Crafts in Microgravity\nEncourage creativity by organizing art and crafts activities. Floating art supplies and creating three-dimensional art pieces in microgravity can be a unique and enjoyable experience for both kids and adults.\n\n- Microgravity Soccer:\nSet up a floating soccer ball and goals in a designated play area. Players can use handrails, walls, or even each other to navigate and score goals. The lack of gravity adds an interesting twist to traditional soccer.\n\n- Space Bowling:\nSet up a floating bowling alley with specially designed lightweight balls. Players can push the balls off a starting point, and the lack of gravity will allow them to gracefully float toward the pins, adding an element of unpredictability to the game.\n\n- Asteroid Dodgeball:\nAdapt the traditional dodgeball game by incorporating soft, lightweight balls. Players can float and dodge in three dimensions, making the game more challenging and dynamic.\n\n- Microgravity Scavenger Hunt:\nCreate a list of items or clues for a scavenger hunt within the space hotel. Participants must navigate the microgravity environment to find hidden items or complete challenges. This can be a fun and engaging way to explore the space hotel.\n\n- VR/AR Educational Experiences for Kids:\nFor families with children, VR/AR can offer educational content and interactive experiences. Engage in augmented reality games designed specifically for the microgravity environment. Play space-themed puzzles, challenges, or even multiplayer games with fellow guests, adding a social and recreational aspect to your stay. From space-themed storytelling to virtual space exploration games, the VR/AR headset can turn learning into a fun and engaging activity for kids.\n\n**Space Activities Pros and Cons**\nWithin a range of possible activities for space hotels patrons, the major factors to consider are the costs and potential health risks. While microgravity-augmented VR and AR activities will be relatively easy to implement and even can be self-administered, any zero-gravity sports will require presence of additional crew members for safety and guidance. EVAs for customers are even more involved, with spacewalks require supervision and additional training. The risk of emergency situations is also higher for such an activity, therefore not everyone among passengers may qualify for it.\n\n# Costs, schedule and business model considerations. \nIt would be a reasonable assumption to allow for 1 module per month launch schedule for a total of 17 months of initial construction time and 24 months of total construction time with further 7 launches with consumables and commissioning activities combined together.\n\nTotal cost of International Space Station is estimated to be $150B with annual operational budget of $4B. [13]\n\nAssuming near-term projection of space launch cost going down to $1000/kg when Starship becomes available (one order of magnitude below current market low) and station module construction cost roughly equal to launch cost (as often the case with existing space missions), we can estimate the entire mission cost to be $50M to build and $50M to launch, giving the total construction cost of $1.7B (17x100M). Additional 7 launches delivering consumables and other good would add up to another $700M to the total cost of $2.4B. If the same percentage of capital to operational expenses is taken as with ISS, then the expected annual cost will be around $64M/yr. At 25 years of operational lifetime, comparable to existing space stations, that would add to $1.6B of operational costs, for a total of lifetime cost of $4B.\n\nWhile this is a very approximate cost estimate, the value is within the same order of magnitude as planned space stations from Axiom and Blue Origin, in $3-10B range[14, 15]\n\nAssuming gross profit of 3x of the total lifetime costs for a 33% profit margin, we arrive at $12B gross revenue required for successful commercial operations, translated into annual figure of $480M.\n\nAs the station has the capability for 18 people, at 12 revenue-generating passengers and 6 crew,with utilization factor of 10 months per year and and taking into account 17 months of initial construction cost and 6 months of commissioning (non-operational time), we can calculate the cost of monthly gross profit of 52M. For a single man-month we have $4.3M of gross profit required and for a single man-day of $144K.\n\nThat translates into weekly stay for a single person at $1M - within the realm of today's space industry capabilities\n\n# Development risks\nMost of the technology used for our space design do not require any additional scientific R&D, as existing solutions used on previous generations of space stations (ISS, Mir, Salyut, Skylab) can be utilized, scaled up as required.\n\nAs with every new engineering project, there will be a considerable amount of the engineering research and design work. With that in mind, a pathfinder/pilot projects can be used as such, for example a smaller scale space station, consisting only of central hub and only two habitat modules, with support for rotational artificial gravity as well - to understand challenges required for construction and operations, including assembly, docking and spin-up/spin-down procedures. \n\nAlternatively, reduced module dimensions can be used for pilot project construction, similar to the current ISS ones (4.2x8.4m), that would full allow almost entire of possible operations with the benefit of reducing size, mass and cost of the entire station.\n\n# References\n1. Kingston JC, Fong KJ. Artificial gravity as a multi-system countermeasure to the physiological effects of long duration space flight. Cranfield: 2007\n\n2. Clément, G, Charles JB, Norsk P, Paloski WH. Artificial Gravity, version 6.0\n(NASA Human Research Program, Human Health Countermeasures Element,\nEvidence Report).Houston, Texas, USA: NASA Johnson Space Center. (2015\nMay 12).\n\n3. Hall TW. Artificial Gravity in Theory and Practice (ICES-2016-194). 46th International Conference on Environmental Systems (ICES), Vienna, Austria, 10-14 July 2016. Lubbock Texas, USA: Texas Tech University. (2016 July).\n\n4. Hoegenauer E, Wagner K. Artificial gravity for long duration manned space\nflight, Space Programs and Technologies Conference and Exhibit. AIAA SPACE, Forum 1994.\n\n5. Jinyu Liu Li Gangqiang Z. H. Zhu Xingqun Zhan. Orbital Boost Characteristics of Spacecraft by Electrodynamic Tethers with Consideration of Electric-Magnetic-Dynamic Energy Coupling. March 2020 Acta Astronautica Issue 171 (2020)\n\n6. Ma, Fujian & Zhang, Xiaohong & Li, Xingxing & Cheng, Junlong & Guo, Fei & Hu, Jiahuan & Pan, Lin. (2020). Hybrid constellation design using a genetic algorithm for a LEO-based navigation augmentation system. GPS Solutions. 24. 10.1007/s10291-020-00977-0.\n\n7. https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products/astrorad---what-you-wear-in-space-could-save-your-life.html (accessed Aug 29, 2024)\n\n8. https://spaceq.ca/mda-space-unveils-skymaker/ ((accessed Aug 29, 2024)\n\n9. https://www.nasa.gov/missions/station/veggie-plant-growth-system-activated-on-international-space-station/ (accessed Aug 31, 2024)\n\n10. https://www.nasa.gov/missions/station/iss-research/nasa-lets-ketchup-on-international-space-station-tomato-research/ (accessed Aug 31, 2024)\n\n11. https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/astronauts-have-first-taste-of-peppers-grown-space/ (accessed Aug 31, 2024)\n\n12. https://www.drinkingcolorado.com/features/to_bodly_go_beer.php (accessed Aug 31, 2024)\n\n13. https://www.planetary.org/articles/20180220-bye-iss-hello-private-stations (accessed Aug 31, 2024)\n\n14. https://www.geekwire.com/2021/blue-origin-teams-sierra-space-boeing-others-orbital-reef-space-station-project/\n\n15. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-31/nasa-vet-and-space-mogul-aim-to-build-97-cheaper-space-station","images":["https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/files/18d528b490a567ccd2a07704cb995784.png"],"team":"Dennis Silin - project manager\n\nBojan Seirovski - space activity engineer\n\nPaul Le Henaff - design and systems engineering","github":"https://github.com/DarkStar1982/vanaheimr/","demo":null,"video":null,"socialTwitter":"exodusorbitals","socialFacebook":null,"socialInstagram":null,"nftId":null,"haxonBuidls":[{"id":10234,"projectId":9386,"name":"\"Valhalla\" Space Hotel v 1.1","track":"[DEFAULT_TRACK]","bounties":[],"haxonId":205,"haxonName":"Starship Use Cases Hackathon | Fostering Innovation in Space","status":1,"haxonCreateAt":"2024/10/09 16:08:00 UTC"}],"kudoData":null,"bountyObjs":[],"tracks":[],"badges":["{\"schema\":\"BADGE\",\"d\":{\"index\":\"b8010\",\"badgeType\":\"buidl\",\"path\":\"/buidl/9386/achievement/b8010\",\"ownerId\":9386,\"iconName\":\"b0\",\"updatedDate\":\"2024/01/31\",\"title\":\"Starship Use Cases Hackathon | Fostering Innovation in Space\",\"detail\":\"Participation\",\"tag\":\"Hackathon\",\"imageUrl\":\"https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/badge/b0_Starship~c32Use~c32Cases~c32Hackathon~c32|~c32Fostering~c32Innovation~c32in~c32Space.webp\",\"shareImageUrl\":\"https://cdn.dorahacks.io/static/badge/b0_Starship~c32Use~c32Cases~c32Hackathon~c32|~c32Fostering~c32Innovation~c32in~c32Space.jpg\",\"id\":8010,\"metaInfo\":{\"type\":\"HACKATHON_PARTICIPATION\",\"hackathonId\":205,\"title\":\"Starship Use Cases Hackathon | Fostering Innovation in Space\"},\"createdAt\":1706676553,\"updatedAt\":1706676553,\"type\":0,\"subjectId\":205,\"metadata\":{},\"buidl\":9386}}"]}}

"Valhalla" Space Hotel v 1.1