The future of humanity is the Red Planet. Still in this century, we will build the first colonies there, in which thousands of people will live and hundreds of Martians will be born. NASA wants to do it as soon as possible by organizing contests.
In order for people to be able to live on this hostile planet, it is necessary to create appropriate technologies with the help of which it will be possible to prepare appropriate materials and systems for the construction of the first objects. NASA and the University of Bradley launched an interesting competition some time ago. Now we find out that they have chosen the winner of the 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge project, dedicated to the development of housing for astronauts on Mars. This is one of the most important aspects of the conquest of Mars.
NASA reports that the best project was presented by the AI SpaceFactory team. In practice, the engineers presented what the 3D printing technology they created created, and even built one for testing purposes. The first Martian human habitat was created on a 1: 3 scale. Scientists do not hide that the first residential buildings will be created on the Red Planet thanks to this technology, because it will allow projects to be completed in a short time and with low financial outlay.
The construction of the habitat called MARSHA from AI SpaceFactory takes approx. 10 hours. The 3D printer is based on a mixture in which basalt fibers and bioplastics from plant starch are found. This means that the material is not only durable, environmentally friendly, and in the right conditions, fully biodegradable.
Engineers from New York decided that the best idea for a Martian colony would be bee hive inspiration. In each of these objects there will be a residential module, a laboratory, a kitchen, a storage room for equipment and a recreation room. Most importantly, the habitat will be equipped with windows for colonizers to have constant access to sunlight.
The AI SpaceFactory team is now planning to build a full-sized base in the US state of New York. In this way, engineers want to show everyone that such objects can be built in the blink of an eye, for ridiculous money and in a fully ecological way. All visitors of the Mars habitats on Earth will be able to convince themselves that they are fully functional and will easily deal with even the most extreme weather conditions.
NASA intends to use future technologies developed by talented domestic engineers in the design of residential systems in manned missions to Mars, which are to take place at the end of the 1920s or in the early 1930s.