Difference between revisions of "Habitat"
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==Introduction== | ==Introduction== | ||
The '''Habitat''' is a space simulation facility. Its primary purpose is to simulate the living and working environment of | The '''Habitat''' is a space simulation facility. Its primary purpose is to simulate the living and working environment of | ||
| − | the [[OCESS]] [[Astronauts]] while they execute the [[mission]]. There have been | + | the [[OCESS]] [[Astronauts]] while they execute the [[mission]]. There have been three Habitats. |
The Habitat is often referred to simply as 'The Hab'. | The Habitat is often referred to simply as 'The Hab'. | ||
Revision as of 20:04, 12 September 2009
Contents
Introduction
The Habitat is a space simulation facility. Its primary purpose is to simulate the living and working environment of the OCESS Astronauts while they execute the mission. There have been three Habitats.
The Habitat is often referred to simply as 'The Hab'.
History
The Hawking
The original Habitat was called The Hawking, named after famous physicist Steven Hawking.
The original Habitat was first built in the Early '90s, and was designed to be collapsible. It constituted two primary rooms: the Interlock, and the Longhouse. The original Interlock was made from Wooden Walls, hinged together so that they could fold up, while the Longhouse was a half-cylinder, framed with curved piping, and having a canvas overlaid on top. Additionally, the Habitat had a Bathroom and an Airlock.
The Habitat was set up in school gyms for at least one mission before it found its long-term home at the old Ottawa Technical High School. In the late '90s, OCESS moved to the Bronson Street Media Centre as the School Board was going to shut down the Ottawa Technical High School. The Habitat moved with Spacesim, but the old Airlock would not fit into the limited space. A new, crawl-through airlock was built for this facility.
Why the Habitat was Forced to Change
Spacesim continued undisturbed at the Media Centre until the Spring of 2001. During this year, the Board decided to reclaim the Media Centre, and discourage Spacesim from continuing. One method of discouragement was random fire inspections. The Board successfully deemed the Old Habitat a Fire Hazard. The OCESS managed to reclaim its old space at the Old Ottawa Technical High School, now known as the 440 Albert Street Administrative Centre, but at the cost of constructing a new Habitat to meet Board specifications.
The New Habitat would require to meet all building and safety codes, have official blueprints, and moreover have these blueprints stamped by a Professional Engineer. Additionally electrical work had to be approved by a certified electrician.
The Hawking II
The Hawking II was referred to as The New Habitat during construction, shortly thereafter named The Hawking II, and finally officially named The Brahe during the 2002-2003 year. Since then, this name does not appear to have stuck, and it is simply called The Hab.
The Hawking II was designed by Alex Ghosh, Ross Green, and Nikolas Zuchowicz, with strong influences from David Owen, who was then a recent alumnus. It was originally designed to be modular, with each room receiving its power through the Interlock, effectively "plugging in", so that the modules could be arranged in any orientation. The Interlock was designed to handle five sub-modules, and was supposed to have power and access doors for that many. Unfortunately, due to space constraints and electrical concerns, such a configuration became unfeasible, and the Habitat was locked into its current setup and hardwired.
The Original Plans called for an Interlock, Hotlab, Bathroom, Longhouse, and Airlock. Construction took place during the Fall of 2001 and the Winter of 2002. The Longhouse was the first module to be finished, and was used for that year's Mission Alpha. The Hotlab was not constructed in time for The new Habitat's first mission, and instead was constructed during the 2002-2003 year.
Originally envisioned as having an aluminum sheet-metal structure, drywall was selected as the material of choice for cost and safety concerns. The Drywall was easier and cheaper to repair, and emergency exits could be created anywhere as required.
Rooms
In The Hawking the Interlock served as living space and command centre for the Astronauts, containing their kitchen and control units. Additionally, the Airlock was off of the Interlock. The Longhouse was primarily used as a Laboratory, but was often used for sleeping space. The Longhouse connected the Bathroom to the Interlock.
Within the New Habitat, the Longhouse is dedicated to living space, while the scientific aspects have been split into a new Hotlab. Originally planned to be the Hotlab, the room connecting Interlock and Longhouse became the Bathroom. The new Hotlab is closer to the Planetary Surface allowing samples to be easily passed within. The only evidence of the old Hotlab within the Bathroom is some structural reinforcement around the location where a docking port for Robbie was supposed to go.
The Habitat can be observed by Mission Control through a series of cameras, as well as an extension of the Simulation Software.
There has been recent plans to take down the current Hotlab to provide for more space for the Planetary Surface. The Hotlab would be relocated in the current Interlock. The project is in its late planning stage.
Environmental Simulation
The Habitat was simulated using software known as CMES. It keeps track of the temperature and pressure of all rooms, as well as the status on the doors and airlocks (open/closed). It now uses a different combination of programs developed by Dr. J. Magwood to accomplish the same function. Most notable among these is EECOM for environmental and door monitoring.
The Habitat can be observed by Mission Control through a series of cameras, as well as an extention of the Simulation Software.
Electrical System
The Habitat receives its power through the Interlock. There is a small power cabinet on the back wall.
Simulation Habitat
See main article Simulation: habitat
Within the confines of the simulation, the habitat is a large structure. It is made of laminated aluminium and foam to absord radiation and meteor impacts. This description is not to be mistook for reality, as the Hab is actually constructed of metal studs and drywall.
The Hawking III
Main article: Hawking III
The Hawking III is the third Hab built in the Hawking series and was constructed as a result of OCESS moving to a new room. The Hawking III is smaller than the previous Hab, and is roughly square in shape. In addition to having a smaller footprint, its ceiling is significantly lower than that of the previous Hab, giving the interior a cramped feel and making the new Hab a more realistic approximation of space travel. The Hawking III is the first Hab to be constructed by professionals contracted by the OCDSB. The Hawking III was built and completed during the 2008-2009 school year, and was first used for the 2009 mission, Genesis 2009.
It is built mostly of drywall panels and metal studs, with one of the rooms (Control Room) being paneled in plywood. It is double-layered, with an inner and outer panel of either drywall or plywood and an internal space of approximately four inches.
