ASET Fall 2017 - 19

Prototype Design for an
Airlock System on Mars
PROJECT TEAM
Quang (Henry) Nguyen. SAIT provided me with an environment that best suited my learning process. Its small
classes allowed me to build strong relationships with my
colleagues and instructors, which in turn helped with my
studies. Another aspect that SAIT offered was the knowledge of real-life experience. This gave me a wider understanding and perspective of what industry would be like
should I one day work as a technologist.
I moved to Calgary from my native Vietnam when I was a
year old, and have lived here most of my life. When I was growing up, technology was booming, feeding an innate interest in
computer hardware and software that became a passion as I
was introduced to a diverse range of technologies.
I enjoy going out, traveling and exposing myself to new experiences, since they can only help me grow as an individual.
At home I tend to spend a lot of time on my computer, either
playing video games and or talking to my friends.
Christopher Duff. After thirteen years of working as a cook
and labourer out of high school, I decided to take the necessary steps to begin a new career. I chose SAIT Polytechnic
because of its stellar reputation and wide array of courses.
I had studied drafting in high school and loved it, leading
naturally to my opting for the Engineering Design & Drafting
Technology Program. My hobbies include camping, cooking,
travel, archery, blade-smithing, and hiking with my dog.

my ideas to life. Now, with a solid foundation in developing
industry-standard drawing sets and recreating those same
designs in 3D, I am excited to see where I could go next!
When I need a break from my computer screen, I can usually be found either fishing the Bow River or taking my bike
out the mountains to get away from the city-and I hope
one day to indulge both these hobbies using equipment I
designed myself!

PROJECT SUMMARY
Our project objective was to design a prototype airlock
system to be used in extreme environments such as Mars.
Our requirements included that the airlock be strong and
durable, lightweight and able to expand and collapse for
shipping and assembly. To save on space, the unit would
be shipped in its compact form and expanded to full length
during assembly, then attached to a pre-existing structure.
To save weight while retaining strength and structural integrity, for rigid body parts, we chose lightweight materials, such as (2014-T6) Aluminum and Vectra Liquid Crystal
Polymer. For the collapsible sections, we opted for a weave
of Kevlar to allow for the required movement and compaction of the unit. These materials were simulated and designed to meet the safety factors as required by NASA.

Andrew Liu. I emigrated to Canada from China when I was
10, and hold a Bachelor's Degree of Arts and Design from
the University of Alberta. One of the reasons I chose SAIT's
EDDT Program is the way the faculty designs its courses
based on industry requirements and input. It provided me
a better understanding of the process of taking a design
from concept to its final, physical form. Whenever I am not
busy with school, I enjoy doing graphic and product design,
such as logos, furniture, or footwear. I also like to participate in various activities such as basketball, running, and
kayaking, and I am considering taking up photography.
Darrel Turnbull. Growing up I always had a passion for
learning about what makes things tick. After having taken
apart and reassembled everything I could get my hands
on, I began to wonder how I could start making things myself. Eventually I found my way to the SAIT EDDT Program,
which gave me the tools and confidence to begin bringing

TECHNOLOGY ALBERTA | FALL 2017 | 19

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ASET Fall 2017