'Print' base on the moon

Setting up a base on the moon can be easier thanks to the application of 3D printing technology, which is the main material available on it.

The research team of the European Space Agency (ESA) has partnered with Foster-Partners architecture firm in the project to build structures for the astronauts' residence on the earth's natural satellites. . According to experts, the model can be put into operation within 40 years.

Self-propelled robots will be used to print 3D an architectural building that can accommodate four people. This special apartment can withstand meteorites, gamma radiation and large temperature fluctuations. Scott Hovland, a member of the ESA, told the Daily Mail newspaper: '3D printing technology provides the potential for reducing logistics from the earth'. According to this theory, only robots and lightweight frame structures are certainly brought up from the earth to be assembled together. 90% of the materials supplied for the base construction are material available on the moon. Some parts made on the earth will be folded like a tubular module and transported to the moon by space rockets.

Gizmodo Magazine quoted Xavier De Kestelier, a member of Foster-Partners: 'In fact, we have used this technology to design a model of residence in the most extreme climate on earth, mining Construction materials from the surrounding environment. The base on the moon will also follow the same process . " The first is to combine materials that simulate the lunar soil with magiesium oxide, converted into ' printed paper.' The printed 'ink' is a salt. In particular, it is possible to bind the particulate matter to a solid mass, and in the test, the 3D printer was able to create a 1.5 ton solid block from the moon's simulation material.