WASHINGTON: NASA, the United States space agency, has set forth an audacious plan to construct residential buildings on the moon by 2024. This vision has taken a significant step forward with a $60 million contract awarded to a technology company, ICON, which aims to turn this dream into reality.
The proposed lunar residences are not just intended for astronauts but also for civilians. The plan involves sending a 3D printer to the moon, which will utilize rocks, mineral fragments, and lunar dust as construction materials. NASA has been collaborating with various institutions and private companies to develop essential components of these lunar homes, including doors, tiles, and furniture.
The 3D printing technology employed by ICON involves using a mixture of cement, sand, and water as a filament. Each component of the home will be printed individually and then assembled together. Remarkably, the printer has the capability to construct properties within 48 hours.
This initiative aligns with NASA’s long-term plan to enable astronauts to set foot on Mars and establish habitable structures there. While the project is currently in its early stages, it holds the potential to revolutionize space habitation. Although the cost for civilians wishing to reside on the moon has not been disclosed yet, this endeavor represents a significant leap in space exploration.
Human Presence on Moon
Raymond Clinton, deputy director of the science and technology office at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, expressed his optimism for future generations, envisioning a sustainable human presence on the moon. He emphasized the necessity of moon settlements where people can live and work continuously, leaving room for entrepreneurial imagination to shape the future of lunar living.
To achieve this ambitious goal, the moon houses must be resilient, capable of withstanding thermal radiation and micrometeorites. Jason Ballard, co-founder, and CEO of ICON stressed the importance of creating systems that can utilize local resources on the moon and other planetary bodies, paving the way for sustainable space exploration.
The planning is currently underway for testing ICON’s printer at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in February. This test will assess the printer’s performance in the vacuum conditions and radiation levels of space, bringing humanity one step closer to realizing the dream of lunar habitation.
