Lunar Sleep Rack

September 2019 - March 2020

The Lunar Sleep Rack project was done through the NASA HUNCH program for high school students. The goal of the project was to create a sleeping mechanism for astronauts on the moon. The constraints were that the mechanism must be able to collapse into a small space, be lightweight and comfortable, withstand a 250 lb human on the moon, be easy to set up and put away, allow for rolling over, and be detachable from walls.

The team’s design is a series of bands of varying widths and heights connected to the walls. In total there would be 6-7 bands. This would weigh significantly less than a hammock and provide the necessary support for the astronauts while sleeping. The widths of the bands would be custom to the astronaut, such as a wider band for the back, and a shorter one for the legs, as well as the heights, with the head being slightly raised. As a whole, the bands specifically tailored for a person would best provide the necessary support they need for their optimal sleeping conditions.

The bands are made of 2 layers of microfiber and kevlar sewn together with a stud ring sewn on either end. The microfiber is soft, while the kevlar is durable and flame resistant. These bands are connected to stud rings on either end to connect to seat track, which is found on the ISS and on airplanes, and was assumed would be present on the lunar base. The bands are easy to connect and remove by sliding the stud rings.

The prototype was designed for a mannequin slightly above 60 inches in height, with measurements taken of specific body areas to calculate the widths of the bands. The wood on the length of the prototype represents the walls on the lunar lander, and it is lined with seat track.

The team was one of 14 team nationwide to be named semifinalists, but was not one of the five named as finalists.

The team members were Omar Abouzahr, Nate Ward, Noah Mitts, and Hwanee Hwang; collaborators include Ms. Mushfika Mica and Dr. Sumit Mandal of OSU.