The Evolution and Future of MEERS
Authors' Class Standing
Mary Luongo, Junior Jonathan Fitzgerald, Sophomore Michael Hunt, Senior Nishigandha Kelkar, Sophomore Ian Kramer, Junior
Lead Presenter's Name
Mary Luongo
Faculty Mentor Name
Jason Kring
Abstract
The Mobile Extreme Environment Research Station (MEERS) arrived on campus on June 30th, 2013. The intended purpose of MEERS is to perform a series of simulations and research for the advancement of space technologies. The first step in creating a research station unlike any other is to perform a series of renovations. The initial step in renovating the 1976 31’ Airstream trailer began by learning the features of the Airstream and the removal of the interior furniture and the vinyl that covered all of the original aluminum walls. After most of the interior features were removed, we began to remove the oxidation on the exterior. The oxidation removal was a three step process and took over 200 man hours to complete. The next step in the renovation was to inspect the holding tanks and structure. We found out our tanks needed to be replaced and our structure was rusted. We removed the tanks and completely removed the plywood flooring to expose the structure to allow us to grind off the rust and paint over with a noncorrosive material. We closed the Fall 2013 semester with MEERS stripped to the base ready for the addition of new material and the installation of solar panels for the Spring of 2014. We will discuss the next phases to the construction of MEERS at discovery day along with our conceptual design and use of prototyping for interior work spaces, galley, crew quarters, storage, and hygiene. Our goal is to have MEERS in operation by the end of May 2014.
Location
Flight Deck
Start Date
9-4-2014 10:00 AM
The Evolution and Future of MEERS
Flight Deck
The Mobile Extreme Environment Research Station (MEERS) arrived on campus on June 30th, 2013. The intended purpose of MEERS is to perform a series of simulations and research for the advancement of space technologies. The first step in creating a research station unlike any other is to perform a series of renovations. The initial step in renovating the 1976 31’ Airstream trailer began by learning the features of the Airstream and the removal of the interior furniture and the vinyl that covered all of the original aluminum walls. After most of the interior features were removed, we began to remove the oxidation on the exterior. The oxidation removal was a three step process and took over 200 man hours to complete. The next step in the renovation was to inspect the holding tanks and structure. We found out our tanks needed to be replaced and our structure was rusted. We removed the tanks and completely removed the plywood flooring to expose the structure to allow us to grind off the rust and paint over with a noncorrosive material. We closed the Fall 2013 semester with MEERS stripped to the base ready for the addition of new material and the installation of solar panels for the Spring of 2014. We will discuss the next phases to the construction of MEERS at discovery day along with our conceptual design and use of prototyping for interior work spaces, galley, crew quarters, storage, and hygiene. Our goal is to have MEERS in operation by the end of May 2014.