3D Printed Space Colonies

With long-term plans to colonize the Moon and Mars, on-site 3D printing may provide a practical solution for Lunar and Martian architecture. However, extraterrestrial housing provides a unique challenges to builders.

For the original homes in space, builders will either have to transport building materials from Earth or use telerobotics with local building materials. Rather than transporting building materials, researchers are investigating the feasibility of using Moon dust and Moon rocks.

Dust is actually a misnomer. The soil is composed of fine particles which are abrasive like sandpaper. The sharp granules are the result of meteorites pulverizing Moon rocks. Since the Lunar soil is potentially harmful to humans and destructive to the moving parts of machinery, researchers are investigating the use of 3D printed dust barriers from Moon rocks.

Similarly, NASA and private space companies will attempt to use local energy for electricity to minimize the expensive process of transporting cargo from earth. Researchers are investigating solar energy to power robots for 3D printing construction and electricity for houses.

The Moon has one-sixth the gravity of Earth and is essentially surrounded by a vacuum. Similar to an airplane cabin, any dwelling on the moon requires pressurization and a source of breathable air in order to make it livable for humans. This requires builders use materials that are rigid enough to withstand the pressure differences.

The atmosphere surrounding the Moon and Mars provide less protection from solar radiation than on Earth. Even with a space suit, humans are prone to cancer with several hours of exposure.

So any proposed designs must include radiation shields. Researchers are investigating the use of 3D printed shields and shade walls.

Behrokh Khoshnevis, an Industrial engineering professor at the University of Southern California, is already addressing these challenges for extraterrestrial dwellings. He is drawing up plans, in phases, for a simulation at NASA's research facility in Arizona for constructing Lunar and Martian habitats.