Why is the implementation of the Mars on Earth Project (MoEP) important? As time flies rapidly in space, the project that will take our place in this lane will start a small spark. Growing up in time, “I believe that there will be evil in different and better things.”
Mars on Earth Project – Goals
- It is essential to use the limited resources available in the project to the maximum extent possible,
- To spread the popular space culture in our society, especially students, to inform by sharing the current developments in this subject, to develop practical studies on this subject,
- To raise awareness on planets, universe, sustainable life, energy and environment-recycling, climate change, innovation,
- Establishing a modeled Mars campus, presenting a software simulation application and real and virtualized space studies together,
- To initiate amateur observations that will lead in the field of radio astronomy, to produce hardware and to create a shareable database infrastructure for observers who do not have this relatively costly equipment, and to present the data to the end user for analysis,
- Establishing an exemplary communication station in all aspects, including intercontinental amateur radio communication and amateur satellite communication,
- It can be summarized as setting an example for the establishment of the project in other provinces and districts with its feasibility and low cost, producing helpful Turkish documents and sharing technical information.
These studies aimed to offer various opportunities from primary education to high school and then university students. Example of this;
At primary level;
Awareness and excitement for new discoveries, observation and examination for scientific field applications,
At the secondary education level;
Providing an application area for the practice of the lessons learned in the fields of mathematics, physics, geography, and social sciences such as mathematics, physics, geography, providing students with the ability to operate the production and storage of renewable energy sources at the application level, opportunities to develop remote measurement and control skills with wired-wireless communication tools. can be considered to provide.
In other educational stages;
By communicating with domestic and foreign universities, university student societies and Mars research societies, issues such as making use of the facilities and tools of the campus, providing technical support for research, joint project development, remote data sharing, and establishment of similar observation tools can be listed.
To familiarize yourself with the planned campus, you can start by looking at the picture above with short notes on it.
Image-1. Mars Base (Image Credit: Mars on Earth Project)
Real World Division
Amateur radio stations, amateur satellite and international space station communication, emergency-disaster communication, amateur radio observation studies, student training and courses and amateur science studies will take place.
Artificial Mars Division
It consists of an artificial campus simulation developed based on fiction and a relative artificial intelligence supported simulation software controlling this campus, modeled Mars surface, Mars colony, Mars spacecrafts and telemetric sensor data infrastructure that students can participate in and the software controls with time delay on the Internet.
Now, let’s move on to the detailed introduction of the planned campus based on the numbering on the picture below. In the project, studies are continuing on the allocation of space in order for the campus to be physically operational based on location. An area of 1.500 square meters, which was determined as a draft at the first moment, is considered sufficient for the study. 414 square meters of this is reserved for the artificial Mars campus. In other areas, the following studies will be carried out.
Image-2. MoEP Mars Campus numbered overview. (Image Credit: Mars on Earth Project)
01. (4,5) Meter diameter dish antenna. The dish antenna, which is out of use, was donated by the Gallipoli Municipality to be used in the project. It is planned to be used in amateur radio astronomy studies by making tests and measurements after the support structure is strengthened and engine and engine controls are added after maintenance.
Image-3. Renewable energy sources. (Image Credit: Mars on Earth Project)
02. It is the area of solar panels that will be activated to be used in emergency situations. Without the need for electricity from the outside of the facility or disaster, etc. In cases where it becomes unusable due to a fault in the energy lines, it will provide the needed electricity with solar panels, charging units and batteries. In such cases, the energy consumption of all other lighting and simulation applications of the campus will be kept to a minimum and priority will be given to communication.
03. Wind turbine area with blade/rotor brake to be used in emergency situations. It will work together with the solar energy and electricity generation and storage system included in the article numbered 2.
At the time of this writing, the wind speed on Mars is about 14 Km/s. However, from time to time, it is the scene of very serious wind speeds and storms due to the dissolution of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the form of dry ice, especially in the early summer periods when the surface of the planet begins to warm up.
On the other hand, fixed solar panels that will work under low light intensity pose a problem for both Martian habitats and spacecraft on Mars; Wind is a usable energy source, an opportunity. This can be considered as data for wind turbine design thinking that can operate in extreme wind and dust storms.
The wind in the region selected for the campus is at suitable speeds for the effective use of the wind turbine. In order to prevent damage to the propeller structure and generator due to excessive wind factor, a “braked structure” is envisaged. The wind turbine has the possibility of battery charging support at night in case of emergency.
04. It is the dipole and 90 cm small dish antenna park belonging to the equipment to be used in other radio astronomy observation studies (Jupiter, Sun amateur radio observation studies). The area at the back of the area is planned to be used as a multi-antenna park for amateur radio astronomy observations. (New receiver designs that can be used in Jupiter radio observation, are much more sensitive than existing examples, have increased ease of use and features.)
05. Visitor resting, meeting and display area. The area where the pergolas are located will be used for both rest and night visitor activities, promotion of the facility, barcovision displays and sky promotion.
Image-4. Stations. (Image Credit: Mars on Earth Project)
06. Mechanical design supported simulation section. The section is different from a Planetarium structure and is one of a metal-based container structure. This container internal structure; The spacecraft will be modeled as internal hardware. Structure; computer-aided command control, interactive visuals, indoor lighting and display systems will be supported, and will be made interactive with the support of mechanical motion systems.
It is designed to receive a maximum of 10 visitors representing 2 system users (pilots) and crew at the same time in an event period.
Image-5. Ham radio. (Image Credit: Yaesu)
07. Main communication station. This station radio system will be constituted by fixed and computer-controlled mobile antenna equipment. The features to be brought to the space section of the station are briefly as follows.
- Amateur satellite communications. Approximately 150-2.000 km in the first place. Tracking and communication of amateur satellites available in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) up to
- Trajectory tracking of the International Space Station (ISS) Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) communication and monitoring of message traffic packets,
- Monitoring the first signals of such newly launched satellites and providing feedback to the satellite manufacturer,
- Monitoring the telemetry data, speed and activity cycles of satellites using the amateur frequency band,
- Gaining support for participation in automatic satellite tracking networks,
- With the completion of the system, this equipment can be summarized as carrying out satellite tracking studies in Geostatic Earth Orbit (GEO) at a distance of approximately 36.000 km.
Image-6. Study areas examples.
The location-based features that will be brought to the station are;
- Communication with amateur radio operators in provinces with VHF/UHF radio systems and with relays/links in other provinces,
- Communication with near/neighboring and distant countries with HF radio system,
- About 60 km. (Automatic Identification System-AIS) for monitoring vehicle traffic in a sea area with a radius (by law, these data will not be shared by third parties via the web or other platforms),
- Approximately 50-100 km. Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast ADB-S for monitoring radius airspace traffic (no instant data sharing).
- Monitoring lightning and meteorological data and simple seismic data,
- It can be summarized as providing communication infrastructure support in case of emergency disasters (or when requested by relevant institutions and organizations).
Image-7. Stations and training area. (Image Credit: Mars on Earth Project)
08. On-site training room. In addition to explaining space studies, training amateur radio candidates for the exam, providing training and self-development opportunities after obtaining their licenses, participating in international amateur radio competitions (SSB, CW communication, LOTA, ROTA, SOTA, IOTA, etc.), supporting the scouts’ JOTA studies. It is the on-site training container to be organized for
After the preliminary information to be given in this area, young people and visitors who are not amateur radio operators will be allowed to visit amateur radio communication stations with the responsible operator and to participate in short-term communication activities for the purpose of encouraging under the control of the responsible operator. The container will be used in combination with the other container mentioned above. (It has a seating capacity of 14 people)
Image-8. MOEP Command and control station. (Image Credit: Mars on Earth Project)
09. Local Mars campus command control and management station. This station will undertake the power management of the units, model rover vehicles, meteorology stations that will be located on the modeled artificial Mars surface, the server connections of these systems, the server / wireless communication and network components and the video / picture, 3D material production support of this modeled area.
10. Antenna equipment and towers of VHF/UHF/HF radio systems. It will house antenna and antenna tower structure in various sizes, suitable for the frequency band used by the systems of the main communication station, which is stated in the seventh article.
11. Other system (APRS, AIS and ADB-S) antennas. It is the section where the other antenna structure of the monitoring systems of the main communication station, which is included in the seventh article, will be placed.
12. Campus main entrance gate. Sliding to the side is the main gate of the campus.
13. Visitor reception and campus promotion area. It is the area where the school groups of the visitors are welcomed and the first briefing on the campus, the rules to be followed and safety issues.
14. Visitor promenades. They are safe areas where visitors can freely move around the campus.
15. Visitor observation and waiting area. In case of visitor density, it is a secondary waiting/resting area.
16. Lighting systems that minimize light pollution and whose lighting level can be controlled, can be turned off. Except for visitor admission times, energy use will be kept to a minimum in the campus and the lighting will be turned off in order not to cause light pollution.
Image-9. Artificial Mars overview (Image Credit: Mars on Earth Project)
17. Local Mars compound windbreak curtain. Since the upper surface of Mars modeled for simulation will be covered with red soil (Terra-Rossa), it is foreseen that the models will be used as a protection curtain from excessive wind outside of visiting hours.
18. In the open area of approximately 414 square meters, in the local Mars campus; Wireless network connection that transmits telemetry data of model rover and modeled campus units (habitats, mines, drilling, laboratories, stations, etc.). This system is located in orbit around the planet Mars; It is a simulation of the working principle of the Deep Space Network (DNS) with satellites (2001 Mars Odyssey, Mars Express, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, MAVEN, etc.) that both collect information about the planet and provide communication between the rovers on the surface and the Earth.
19. Model rover mission track. It is the track to be used by the prototype rover with time-delayed command-control capability developed within the scope of the project. The ground and side sections of the track area will contain underground and surface data providers, navigation aids network units in accordance with rover missions.
20. The local Mars campus is an area of modeled habitat units of the home base and colony.
21. Local Mars campus remote base and meteorological station (MTO unit). It is a simulation of the InSight spacecraft, which is still actively operating on the surface of Mars. This station will wirelessly transmit atmospheric weather (humidity, pressure and temperature – wind measurement will be added later), altitude information, simple seismic measurement information to the system since GPS is not used.
22. The local Mars site is the modeled drilling, regolith mines, CO2 and geological exploration division.
Environmental Awareness
A prominent goal in project planning is consideration. Today, if we pay attention to all the options of taking a liter of water from the shelf, only to the International Space Station, carelessly in our homes and places, 20-25 thousand dollars; How important a planet like Mars is to human life will be emphasized in the plan, its production process, and yet in this study.
The use of the rain that will be collected in the warehouses in the campus, the use from the garden, the directing of the garbage to the used garbage and the recycling will continue to be separated at the first moment.
Environment and Personal Safety
Security is uncompromised. In the campus; vision and training center indoor/outdoor and recording systems, correction and PIR alarm systems and electronic facility transition will be made.
In terms of personal security; In addition to standard equipment such as protective headgear, gloves, goggles, overalls, waist rope and fire extinguisher, ventilation, air breaker in antenna towers, insulated floor, lightning and high fire protection, air measurement systems are also planned.
Mars aside…
First of all, due to the social responsibility of being individuals still breathing and living in this world; We set out to do a beautiful and exemplary work for our country. We are making an effort with a small group to bring our written goals to life here, and we have enough information to realize all of them. However, within the scope of COVID-19 measures, some procedures are necessarily progressing slowly.
There is a place in the project for people of all ages according to their interest, knowledge or professional field! You can also be a drop to grow this knowledge lake! Just as we broke the record as a country to write a name on the last spacecraft to go to Mars; In real terms, we want to emphasize that we exist as a country in Mars explorations together.
Our Expectation From You
By following our web and social media accounts; Supporting the promotion of the project with the #marsonearthproject tag; share your thoughts and, of course, your criticisms with us.
If you want to not only watch the project from afar, but also contribute as a volunteer and experience this excitement, you can review the Volunteer Application Form.
(*) Thank you to “Mars on Earth Project/Azerbaijan” volunteer Mrs. Aysun Bagiyeva Alirza, who translated this document into English.
