Team: 51
School: Melrose Middle
Area of Science: Astrophysics
Interim: Team Number: 51
School Name: Melrose Middle School
Area of Science: Astrophysics
Project Title: solar sail colonizing
Problem Definition:
The problem we are working on is about the exploration and colonization of the universe. This is a big problem for humans because figuring out where habitable planets are in order to allow us more places to live is necessary for our population to continue growing at its present rate. We are running out of room on Earth!!!
There are a lot of problems to deal with in colonizing space. Some of the main problems are having enough resources like food and breathable air, avoiding possible radiation hazards, and ensuring the comfort of the people in the ship. And then there is getting there… These problems are facing the speeds + times needed to travel to another planet, and dealing with the technology limitations of possible spacecraft we now have.
Problem Solution:
We DO have enough technology to get to nearby star systems, but it will be over hundreds of years. In this case we would have to build domes to capture air for the colonists and bring plants and animals from earth into the domes to provide a new ecosystem during the long, long voyage. Our technology may not be the most efficient but it should be good enough for humans to get to and live on one of the better planets with the closest to ‘Earth Normal’ environments.
Our team will be building a computer model that shows some of the current technology that could be used to take mankind to the stars. We will compare the speeds, efficiencies, and resource needs of these various crafts to see which would be most viable.
This model will show how a nuclear fueled spacecraft would compare with a vehicle propelled by a solar light sail. As a comparison point, a traditional chemically fueled craft will also be modelled.
We have done research on these types of crafts, and are using calculations and equations from Isaac Asimov, a noted science writer, to provide us with the mathematic model we will use.
Progress to Date:
We have researched many of the projects elements that we need, such as how common extra-solar planets are, and what kind of distances will be involved in reaching them. Our team has learned how nuclear fission work could work to propel a craft through space. We are still finding information on a possible third type of laser propelled systems that could be added if we think it is viable as well.
We have also began to model the project on net logo, and are presently working to find the right scale of patches to use to make a universe large enough for us to represent the travel, but small enough to be manageable.
Expected Results:
The team hopes to correctly model colonizing with a solar sail and a nuclear fission rocket. This model could prove the viability of actually travelling to other worlds.
Team Members:
Heidi Macfarlane
Harvey Peacock
Levi Garrett
Sponsoring Teacher:
Alan Daugherty
Team Members:
Heidi Macfarlane
Harvey Peacock
Levi Garrett
Sponsoring Teacher: Alan Daugherty