2017 Odysseus Contest Thessaloniki Regional Event

This project focuses on the analysis of stellar light curves recorded by the Kepler spacecraft during the Kepler Mission, as acquired from the NASA Exoplanet Archive, in an attempt to explain periodic luminosity variations and to find possible exoplanets using the transit method.
For this purpose, we formulated a specific procedure following the guidelines of experts, while we additionally developed two original computer programs, pltrack1 and pltrack2 we believe that could give us a different approach to the analysis. Instead of making a frequency analysis to the complete light curve as is the standard procedure, we use our programs to extract the “suspicious” drops in luminosity, and then analyze them only.
Our most important findings were the following two:
a. A possible pulsating variable star, KIC 10679429. Under the Cepheid hypothesis, its previously unknown distance was calculated.
b. The transit and orbital parameters of an almost earth-sized exoplanet orbiting KIC 1432789, a system quite recently confirmed but only statistically, and without any transit solution in the literature. Against our hopeful expectations, our analysis showed that the planet is clearly outside the habitable zone of its harboring star, very close to its parent star and probably a scorched world.

The main idea of our project is how to produce energy during a long space trip, for instance to Mars or further. First of all we considered that from water electrolysis we can produce Hydrogen which is actually a very effective fuel. Thus we constructed an electrolysis apparatus and performed an experiment of splitting water into Hydrogen and Oxygen (Image 1). We used a battery for splitting water, but then the problem of energy consuming occurred. Thus, we proposed the alternative of using solar energy, by a photovoltaic solar panel in order to split water. We constructed the representative apparatus and recorded the water splitting to Hydrogen and Oxygen (Image 2). The next step was to use Hydrogen in order to produce energy. The best way of achieving this is to use a fuel cell connected to a motor. We, indeed, constructed the relevant circuit, setting in function a motor and rotating a mounted propeller (Image 3-Video).
Continuously, we considered how we can recycle water, or distilled contaminated water in order to use it in our fuel cell. Recycling of water is of high importance during a long space journey, while the water supplies cannot be unlimited. Thus we constructed a distillation apparatus and performed a distillation collecting pure water using it then for hydrogen production through water splitting.
Observing the electrolysis experiment we wondered how electrolysis can be formed in space (zero gravity conditions), while the air bubbles cannot move towards a specific direction and collected on the upper part of a glass tube. Additionally, within the framework of preserving water we considered the possibility of collecting humidity of ambient air in a spacecraft. In order to overcome these problems we contacted Professor M. Tsampas from the Dutch Institute For Fundamental Energy Research, we set our problematic and he proposed us a new type of fuel cell. Furthermore, with his research team performed a series of measurements providing solutions about gas (hydrogen) collection in space and use of vapor water (ambient).
What we are now thinking of, is distillation of human excretions so we can also collect water. The main problem is that the boiling point is the same with the water so we have to separate the other substances somehow. We are now testing different types of filters without having a successful result yet.

Quantum Rover is a concept of an inter-European program that aims to facilitate the connection between schools through the sciences. This project consists of a rover that can conduct experiments in planets and satellites and a website were students from all over Europe can submit their experiments in order to add them to the rover. At the moment, we have created a prototype of the rover using NXT Legos as shown in the images and video. This endeavor will not only help in uniting all European schools under a common goal, but it also will help in making science and technology evolve as young and creative minds will be able to voice their ideas to big space organizations such as ESA. Finally, it will help in making science even more interesting since in class experiments will not be limited inside the walls of the classroom but rather they will be limitless and ever-expanding.

Ενίοτε μας τίθεται από το κοινό το ερώτημα: «Γιατί να δαπανούμε χρόνο, προσπάθεια και χρήμα για την εξερεύνηση του Διαστήματος, όταν υπάρχουν τόσα καθημερινά προβλήματα στη Γη που χρειάζονται αυτούς τους πόρους;».

Θέμα της εργασίας είναι η ύπαρξη και η αναζήτηση εξωγήινης ζωή. Η συγκεκριμένη εργασία, λοιπόν, αποτελείται από μία ιστορική έρευνα των διαστημικών αποστολών, μία έρευνα υποθέσεων για εξωγήινες μορφές ζωής, καθώς και ένα σύντομο ένθετο με δημοσιεύσεις σχετικά με την εξωβιολογία – αστροβιολογία. Ακόμη, πραγματοποιήθηκε συνέντευξη από τον κΚαραγκιοζίδη, ο οποίος συνέβαλε στην δημιουργία μιας ολοκληρωμένης άποψης πάνω στο συγκεκριμένο θέμα.

A project for the 2 spacecraft thrusters (Ion Thruster & EM Drive). The Ion Thruster is a form of electric propulsion that creates thrust by accelerating ions with electricity. The EM Drive is a testing device that break the laws of physics.

С нашият проект, ние искахме да докажем, че Марс е една невероятна и загадъчна планета, която човешката раса тепърва ще изследва. Като един от нашите най-близки съседи, Марс е много по-достъпен от други светове, и може да ни даде едни от най-важните отговори- има ли живот извън Земята.
Този проект ни провокира да решаваме конкретни научни и инженерни проблеми и да намираме възможно най-добрите решения. Ние сами изработихме модели на действащи марсоходи, създадохме софтуер, с който да управляваме сензори в евентуална бъдаща марсианска апаратура. Отглеждахме като марсиански ботаници растения в почва, приличаща на марсианската, за да разберем, кои от тях са подходящи за червената планета.
Работата по проекта за създаваме на МарсЛаб за нас беше предизвикателство – да създадем марсоходи и направим много експерименти, за да научим още повече за червената планета и възможностите за тераформиране и заселване. Ние сме уверени, че в близките десетилетия ще видим една истинска работеща МарсЛаб, много приличаща на нашата първа марсианска ученическа лаборатория. Бъдещето започва сега и това е един от нашите първи опити да достигнем Марс – сега с този проект, в бъдеще – в една истинска МарсЛаб.

This project serves to illustrate the possible construction of a sustainable house on Mars. The home suits to meet the average three member Bulgarian family needs. Our main medium used was three-dimensional (3D) printing but we have also utilized paper and wire. We covered the basic human needs present in a household, such as power, oxygen, water and nutrition. We additionally explored the receiving and sending of signals. We addressed possible problems that exist on Mars that might interfere with an average person’s life, such as the fact that its gravity is 38% of Earth’s (3.71m/s2) and the presence of strong dust storms which could cause problems if the architecture is not planned out correctly. This led to us to explore the possible shapes which would be most suitable for the infrastructure. The project was created with the goal of making the building as self-sustainable as possible and not needing to receive any additional supplies from Earth after being constructed. This concept incorporates newly-developed technology, creative forms of energy, and knowledge acquired from previous space journeys.

For long-term survival of human civilization, many proposals, speculations, and designs for space settlements have been made through the years, and a considerable number of space colonization advocates and groups are active. However, radiation outside Earth’s magnetic field is a big concern for possible space settlements. Due to the mass and the cost of adding additional protection to space settlements for blocking cosmic radiation, current space settlement proposals regarding Mars doesn’t provide settlers with protection from all of the space radiation. In our project, we designed an automatized radiation shield that detects solar and cosmic radiation waves and locates itself in order to provide whole protection of space settlements and settlers.