If we are going to send people to Mars, we should better start thinking of the first colonies’ accommodation. Carrying tons of concrete and bricks by airspace shuttles to build habitable houses seems unrealistic. Therefore, NASA is thinking of other suitable alternatives. Additive manufacturing is one of the serious options because in 2014, a 3-D printer successfully 3-D printed real objects from the International Space Station.
In order to bring down payload for space exploration, NASA has announced, in partnership with additive manufacturing institute America Makes, a 3-D printing competition, the 3D Printed Habitat Challenge. The participants will have to create architectural concepts and full-scale suitable habitats for applications on Earth, in space and on other planets, using 3-D printing and also native and recyclable materials.
The registrations for the competition will start on September 27, 2015. A $1.1 million prize is up for grabs.
