1997-98
NEW MEXICO
HIGH SCHOOL
SUPERCOMPUTING
CHALLENGE

Interim Report

Team Number: 094
School Name: Ruidoso High School
Area of Science:
Project Title: Environmental Control System Software
Project Abstract: http://mode.lanl.k12.nm.us/97.98/abstracts/094.html
Interim Report: http://mode.lanl.k12.nm.us/97.98/interims/094.html
Final Report: http://mode.lanl.k12.nm.us/97.98/finalreports/094/finalreport.html
Space has always been a fantastic subject that many people are interested in. Skylab was the first space station to be put into orbit. Soon others follow like Mir, the current Russian venture. Since then, people have dreamed of one day living in space for long periods of time. That dream has been unrealized because of many problems, one of which is environmental control. Because of the volatility of space, maintaining a constant, livable environment is not something that can easily be achieved. Our project is planned to integrate all of the systems necessary for maintaining the environment into one software package that would run on a small supercomputer, such as the Cray YMP-211. Our software is limited to just a few of the possible variables. These include humidity control, temperature differentials, oxygen content, CO2 content, waste management (solid and liquid), and consumables such as oxygen, food, and water. For humidity control, there will be a dehumidifying system to drawn moisture out of the air. The temperature system will have cooling and heating units, and the oxygen and carbon dioxide content will be monitored and maintained, including using KOH scrubbers. Waste management will include systems for disposing of solid waste liquid waste. Finally, consumables will have to be monitored and rationed. This software is designed to assist in maintaining an environment that humans can live in for extended periods of time. Even though this is a limited version, it provides the base for a workable system.

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New Mexico High School Supercomputing Challenge