3D printed structures on the moon
Foster + partners have teamed up with the european space agency to 3D print structures on the moon using local materials. With current technologies allowing for entire buildings to be constructed using three-dimensional printing methods, the idea of expanding to build lunar habits could be seen as realistic in the coming years.
By devising a weight-bearing ‘catenary’ dome design with a cellular structured wall to shield against micro-meteoroids and space radiation, foster + partners incorporate a pressurised inflatable to shelter astronauts. the hollow closed-cell structure – reminiscent of bird bones – provides a good combination of strength and weight. as a demonstration, 1.5 tonne building block was produced with a D-shape printer which draws material reference from 3D-printed lunar soil.






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