“First Space Habitat”
By Tony Du and Jack Engelhart
Space exploration has long been a subject of great advancements and leaps in development and technology. Many events that were once considered impossible by numerous people are now part of our everyday reality. Space exploration was even once considered a fictional impossibility. However, no advance that mankind has ever done in the field of space exploration would amount to what was about to be achieved: The first Middle school ever to be developed and constructed in space. Space Engineers working at NASA had finally developed a way to maintain an environment able to sustain a fundamental and budding colony of life. Furthermore, they had selected a faction of volunteers to help test out this new moon habitat. Many had signed up, but in the end, only 500 families were selected. They were to be the first “space pioneers”.
As the spacecraft that carried the 500 families slowly descended onto the alien-like surface of the orbiting space station, the families peered out. They could see nothing but shiny metallic lining through the miniscule windows of the rocket ship. Finally, when their rocket had finally reached the landing zone and the spacecraft had come to a halt, everything as still. Then, the spacecraft emitted one last groaning noise and the doors immediately slid open. The pioneers had finally reached the orbiting space station. Slowly, each individual stepped out of the spacecraft and looked all around them. The magnificent scene was overwhelming and breathtaking. Giant columns of solar panels and silvery metallic tiles were alien like yet magnificent. Suddenly, an astronaut approached the group. He then explained all of their tasks and answered any questions that the families had. After the astronaut’s presentation, he showed each and every family which cell of the space station their “home” was to be. Each cell was marvelously designed, with airlock seals, comfy furniture, and a gravity generator. The gravity generator was a large black box with buttons that allowed the guests inside to adjust the gravity to their comfort level. That way, they wouldn’t have to float around. Soon, everyone understood how everything in the cell worked. They were also introduced to many other areas in the space station, such as a laboratory, an observatory, the schools, the main center, a fitness zone, a religious area and many others. As the groups passed the observatory, they gazed in wonder. Located at the end of an overshadowing dome, a vast telescope emerged from an opening. The guide explained to them that the telescope was so strong that someone could look at Earth in exquisite detail. Furthermore, the telescope was perfect for looking at stars during the night, as there was no atmosphere and artificial light distorting the view. Next, the guide showed them the fitness center, a gym where the guests were able to exercise, as a low amount of gravity could cause muscle loss. The gym contained high-tech equipment and was open 24/7. After the fitness center, the pioneers were introduced to the religious area. Here, the guests could find peace and quiet from there every day busy activities. Inside, the room contained lush green foliage, a relaxing pond, and a soothing mini-waterfall. Everyone agreed that this was indeed the most gorgeous room in the entire space station. Finally, after visiting many more rooms, the guests returned to their private cells. By the time the tour had finished, night was approaching, and each family turned up their custom thermostat, preparing for the harsh and bitter cold of night on the space station. However, as the pioneers rested on their air beds, all of them anticipated what tomorrow was going to bring.
The very next morning, every family emerged from their cells and gathered to the main station that the astronaut had shown them. It was here that they had their breakfast, which consisted of liquefied oatmeal. As soon as they finished their meal, the families gathered into a room to listen for further instructions. There, the astronaut explained everything about how their everyday lives would proceed; from what time they were to eat to where they would work and learn. After the lecture, every person went to their assigned stations. Most men worked by further helping construct the space station and by digging holes in the “greenhouse” for the women to plant in. NASA scientists had discovered that certain species of plants were able to grow in space; by letting they grow in a biosphere that was designed to provide oxygen and light for plant growth. These plants were then eaten as food. The women on the other hand, planted and tended the gardens that were grown in the greenhouses. All children attended a school specifically designed for life on the space station. Some of the classes they took were physical training, earth science and aviation engineering. Their physical training class took place in a special gym, which had training gear and equipment while also having the gravity turned up. It was here that the space pioneer children trained to be physically fit, as fitness was part of astronaut training.
The children that lived on the space station also had to study about Earth Science. They had to learn about the elements, about the water cycle and everything else that was science and related to Earth. Naturally, this was the hardest class for the children, as they were already getting used to the space station’s attributes.
Furthermore, the children were expected to have an exceedingly vast knowledge of aviation and aerodynamic physics and engineering. This was the subject that was educated on the most. It was indeed exceptionally important in training as an astronaut.
All of the classes were taught by experienced veteran astronauts; astronauts that had many years of astronaut training. Each and every one of the classes was imperative and crucial to success. The teachers all had special tools for teaching these subjects. For physical education, the teacher had a Nano biotic sensor that could detect serious muscle loss, which was an unquestionable danger. The earth science teacher used a holographic diagram of earth, able to pinpoint any location and landmark on Earth, while the aviation/aerodynamics teacher taught by using an aviation flight simulator; the students could experience aviation and could also see if their designed prototypes would actually work. All of the lessons were designated to train the children to become, one day, a full fledged astronaut or aviation engineer. They were designed to help the learning child focus in the crucial sections of astronaut and engineer training.
The purpose of this habitat experiment was to test whether or not humans could live and thrive on another alien-habitat unlike earth. Also, it was designed to prove that one day; it might just be possible for humans to inhabit another planet. Humanity would benefit from this experience for this experiment might open their minds; help them to be more accepting of different possibilities that where once deemed impossible. They would learn that truly, almost nothing is impossible, and that with the combined intellect of humans, truly almost anything can be achieved. The experiment would indeed change he world for the better. People would be more open to possibilities; they would not deem every far-fetched idea impossible. Rather, they would discover that anything can be achieved, if you try hard enough.
