The Lunar Leap
Mission to test Earth’s toughest on Moon
Team:
1. Keertivardhan M. Joshi
2. Aditya A. Bujurke
3. Harshavardhan M. Joshi
(Project assistants @ National Aerospace Labs, Bangalore)
1
Contents
1.Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 2
Background ......................................................................................................................................... 2
2. Previous Experiments in Space with Tardigrades ............................................................................... 2
3. Inspiration ........................................................................................................................................... 2
4. Objective ............................................................................................................................................. 3
5. Methodology ....................................................................................................................................... 3
6. Preliminary Design .............................................................................................................................. 4
7.Electronic Interfacing And Electrical Requirements ........................................................................... 7
8. Weight Budgets ................................................................................................................................... 7
9. Impact on Human Sustainability ......................................................................................................... 8
10. Project Timeline ................................................................................................................................ 8
11. Payload and Commissioning ............................................................................................................. 8
REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................................ 9
APPENDIX - 1 ......................................................................................................................................... 10
List of Figures
Fig 1. An artist’s impression of a tardigrade ........................................................................................... 2
Fig 2. Experimental set up....................................................................................................................... 4
Fig 3. Frequency plot for the casing ....................................................................................................... 7
Fig 4. System on Chip Model ................................................................................................................... 7
Fig 5. Gantt Chart .................................................................................................................................... 8
Fig 6. Normal and Tun state of tardigrade………………………………………………………………………………………..10
Fig 7. A Microscopic View ..................................................................................................................... 10
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1.Introduction
The experiment involves the survivability study of Tardigrades in the harsh conditions of the moon.
Tardigrades are a phylum of small invertebrates [Appendix 1]. They are believed to be a class of
arthropods. They are usually less than 1mm in size and are perhaps, the toughest creatures on Earth.
It can withstand temperatures in the range +150°C to -200°C. Very high pressures or vacuum, harsh
UV radiations, water or no water, nourishments or no nourishments- it can survive them all. It is
because of these extraordinary qualities that we want to conduct an ultimate test of its survival, i.e.
on moon.
A test sample consisting of Echiniscus Tardigrada species of tardigrades will be sent in a vessel
without any protection against vacuum, temperature variation, lack of water and oxygen or any
other kind of nourishment and then observed if they survive by exhibiting Cryptobiosis [Appendix 1].
What their survival means to us is detailed in succeeding sections.
Background
Tardigrades, which were discovered in the 18th century are credited for being the toughest among all
creatures on earth. Their habitat is both aquatic and terrestrial and are mostly found in wet moss
and lichens. They move very slowly and are downright cute. With 8 limbs and each limb having 4 to 8
claws, they cling on to leaves and thrive on them.
Fig 1. An artist’s impression of a tardigrade
2. Previous Experiments in Space with Tardigrades
NASA has tried sending these creatures to space in 2007. They were tested in open space for 10 days
and they survived the vacuum and the cosmic rays. ESA sent another mission on Russian FOTON M3
platform and concluded on similar lines. ESA’s International Space Station’s Utilisation Department
planned another mission called Expose to test tardigrades on long term exposure in open space.
3. Inspiration
These organisms have been tested by few world renowned institutes in space and they have
survived. It takes extraordinary qualities for an organism to do that. It is because of these qualities
that we want to conduct an ultimate test of its survival, i.e. on moon.
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4. Objective
Our objective is pretty simple - we want to see if this organism survives the stressful conditions on
moon. If it does survive, it’ll open up a plethora of questions and possibilities.



How do the cells react to such a dry and high temperature environment?
How do they stabilize their cell membrane from, say, rupturing because of vacuum?
How do they repair the damages, if any?
The knowledge of the damaging parameters and the damage mitigating mechanisms will not only
answer questions on its physiology but also will help us in building an ecosystem that can sustain on
moon.
5. Methodology
The following steps have been planned and few of them have already been executed. Remaining lot
will be undertaken upon advancement to the next level. This is just a preliminary plan and we are yet
to understand all influencing parameters. The testing part mentioned below is subject to changes
upon consultation with the experts.
1) A number of studies have been done by NASA and ESA on the survivability of tardigrades in
extreme conditions using different species. These studies can be used as reference to select
the species which shows maximum endurance to survive among all. We have observed
Echiniscus Tardigrada shows very good survivability.
2) The selected species will be studied for its physical characteristics and behaviour. We would
be consulting senior experts in biology and biotechnology to aid us by letting us conduct our
experiment in their laboratories. Special studies will be done on these creatures by
restricting water and oxygen, imposing vacuum and at very high and low temperatures, so
that they undergo Cryptobiosis. The intention will be to simulate the extreme conditions of
the moon in the laboratory to a possible extent. The tardigrades which have undergone
Cryptobiosis are brought to normal conditions to see if they revive.
3) The results from these experiments will be compared with available literature on tardigrades
which has been done by different biological institutes in India and abroad. The results will
also help us to understand the features of the tardigrade that can be observed to conclude
whether the particular creature is alive or has entered dormant state or if it is dead.
4) Once the results are found consistent with existing literature, the next step would be to pack
the tardigrade samples within the given boundaries specified by Team Indus. In the
Experiment layout section, we have shown a preliminary model. The initial approximate
weight estimates for different components is also given.
5) Care is taken while designing such that no design feature comes in the way of the primary
mission objective of Team Indus.
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6. Preliminary Design
Our experiment will consist of the following parts:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Dish containing the specimen
Camera
Microscope
2 LED bulbs
System on Chip (SOC) device
Casing with a lid
Fasteners and other holding parts
Fig 2. Experimental set up
a. Casing
Casing is hollow cylinder with a lid and bears the same volume as specified by Team Indus.
External Diameter
Internal Diameter
Length
Area
Material
= 65 mm
= 63mm
= 116 mm
(
) =201 mm2
=
: Aluminium 2024
σy=75 MPa
Young’s Modulus, E = 70 GPa
Design for Buckling (Longitudinal Loading)
Slenderness Ratio (SR)
√
where I = Moment of Inertia
R= Radius of gyration
Le= 2 L (One end fixed, other end free)
(
)
√
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Critical Slenderness Ratio (CSR)
( )
√
( )
√
Hence column buckles inelastically.
For Inelastic Buckling, American Institute of Steel Corporation (AISC) recommends the following
method to estimate the buckling factor:
According to AISC formula, critical slenderness ratio is given by,
(
)
√
where K= Effective length for One end fixed, other end free column = 2.
(
)
√
Hence, the column buckles inelastically.
For an inelastic column, Safety Index, n1
(
)
(
)
(
)
(
)
Allowable Stress
(
[
[
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)
(
) ]
(
)
]
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Buckling Load
For simplicity, the compressive force acting on the casing is taken to be equal to 25×9.81×0.250 N
F= 25×9.81×0.250 = 61.31 N
As it can be seen, the allowable load is much higher than the load experienced by the casing. Hence
it won’t suffer buckling.
Design for Bending (Lateral Loading, 20g)
Load = 20×9.81×0.250 = 49.05 N
(Assuming UDL)
Bending Moment=2844.9 N-mm
116 mm
Section Modulus
Bending Stress
Dia 63mm
Dia 65mm
Modal Analysis
Modal Analysis of the casing has been carried out with base fixed as the boundary condition in SOLID
WORKS Simulation platform. The 1st natural frequency estimated is 2447 Hz which is well above 100
Hz.
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Fig 3. Frequency plot for the casing
The modal analysis for entire structure will be taken up at a later stage.
The design for other components will be presented upon selection to the next level.
7. Electronic Interfacing And Electrical Requirements
The camera will be connected to an integrated chip Raspberry pi. An On-board MAX485 chip will be
used for RS-485 communication to comply with Team Indus’ design constraint.
Fig 4. System on Chip Model
The details about the chosen camera and microscope will be furnished at a later stage. Care has
been taken while selecting all the instruments to suit the available power as specified by Team
Indus. We will be requiring a lower voltage ≈ 5V.
8. Weight Budgets
These are the weight estimates of the selected components:
Component
Casing
Camera
Microscope
Electronics
Specimen+Dish
Total
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Weight ( grams )
40
50
70
50
20
230 grams
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9. Impact on Human Sustainability
Its survival will pave way for genetically modified, more complex organisms of higher hierarchy to be
tested on moon by successive, more sophisticated experiments. The potential survivors can be food
supplies to human when they set up lunar colonies. Also, organisms requiring lesser protection will
mean lesser infrastructure. Both these things will also mean reduction in logistical costs.
The tardigrades may grow, develop, propagate and become an entirely new species. Only time and
many such experiments will be able to answer. We have to start at some point and hence we put
forward our case to send our mission to moon.
10. Project Timeline
The execution of the project is tentatively represented in this Gantt chart.
Fig 5. Gantt Chart
11. Payload and Commissioning
Our experiment will be a Class 6C payload with Type 3 commissioning.
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REFERENCES
1)
Glime, J. M. 2013. Tardigrade Survival. Chap. 5-1. In: Glime, J. M. Bryophyte Ecology. Volume
2. Bryological Interaction. EBook 5-1-1 sponsored by Michigan Technological University and
the International Association of Bryologists.
2)
Recovery and reproduction of an Antarctic tardigrade retrieved from a moss sample frozen
for over 30 years, Cryobiology. Megumu Tsujimoto, Satoshi Imura, Hiroshi Kanda. National
Institute of Polar Research (NIPR), 10-3 Midori-cho, Tachikawa-shi, Tokyo 190-8518, Japan.
3)
‘Tardigrades survive exposure to space in low Earth orbit’, Current Biology, Volume 18.
4)
‘Tardigrade Exposure to Outer Space Conditions – An Experimental Validation’, Journal of
Astrobiology & Outreach, October 31, 2014
5)
Ref: Clegg, Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol (2001); 128(4): 613-24
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APPENDIX - 1
Cryptobiosis is a state of life exhibited by some organisms in response to adverse environmental
conditions such as dehydration, freezing, and oxygen deficiency. In the cryptobiotic state, all
metabolic processes stop, preventing reproduction, development, and repair. When environmental
conditions return to being hospitable, the organism will return to its metabolic state of life as it was
prior to the cryptobiosis.
While in a cryptobiotic state, the tardigrade turns into a barrel shaped, dry, dormant state known as
tun. It's metabolism reduces to less than 0.01% of what is normal, and its water content can drop to
1% of normal. It can withstand extreme temperature, radiation, and pressure.
Aac
Fig 6. Normal and Tun state of tardigrade
Fig 7. A Microscopic View
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The Lunar Leap
August,2016