FINALLY! Ever since I’ve
been interested in 3D printing I have said that we should use this technology
to improve space research. The European
Space Agency (ESA) has been working with a London-based architectural firm,
Foster & Partners, to test out the feasibility of using a 3D printer to
create structures in space.
The firm has taken the concept to a whole new level, which
may make it FAR more practical to build structures on the moon in the very near
future. They are working on a 3D printer
that will use local moon soil rather than the normal thermoplastic or other
materials that are found on the Earth.
This will dramatically reduce the amount of materials that need to be
shuttled from the Earth to the Moon for construction, which means it is much
more affordable.
The scientists working on the project are testing a robotic
printer that is on a motorized rover. It
will print over an inflatable dome, which will be the base. The design they are working on now will house
four people.
It is a weight-bearing catenary dome, with cellular
structured walls. These walls are
designed to shield the occupants against micrometeoroids, as well as space
radiation.
The 3D printer itself was developed by Enrico Dini, who says
“Our current printer builds at a rate of around 2 meters per hours, while our
next-generation design should reach 3.5 meters per hour. We can complete an entire building in a week.”
Imagine for a moment the practical applications here. Sending a 3D printer up to the moon to begin
creating structures that can house 4 people each. Since it is using the sand that is already on
the moon, you don’t have to keep sending the extremely heavy building
materials. It can be solar powered, so
that won’t be an issue either. *If I’m a
hotel owner, I’m salivating at the tourism opportunities for the next 15-20
years!*
The lunar sand can be ‘printed’ into place, and then
hardened into place using a binding salt.
This salt makes the sand as hard as stone, which is important for
keeping the structure safe.
This is currently being tested inside a vacuum chamber,
where they are already successfully printing various wall sections.
What do you think about this incredible technology? Post in the comments below.
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