NASA has taken another step forward in using celestial soil to build moon and Mars colonies. NASA’s latest International Space Station resupply mission today includes a machine designed to display 3D printed weathered layers (that is, loose soil or rocks) on the moon and similar alien surfaces.
The Redwire Regolith Print (RRP) project will work with the existing printer system (ManD) to try to 3D print a simulated weathering layer. If successful, the staff of the International Space Station will measure the strength of the resulting material to see if it can cope with harsh conditions outside the Earth.
If all goes well, RRP may cause colonists to print at least part of their habitat on demand. In turn, this may reduce the amount of buildings NASA brings to the moon and Mars. For years, scientists have been imagining soil-based habitats, but this test is relatively realistic-it is an attempt to 3D print soil under low gravity. Although there is still a lot of work to be done, the long-term goals of Artemis and future Mars missions may be easier to achieve.
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