US-Iran war CJP protest in Delhi US-Saudi nuclear deal Commonwealth Games 2026 Wildfires in Europe

NASA awards winner of best 3D printed Mars habitat after four-year-long challenge

The winner, AI Spacefactory will collaborate with NASA to re-create their designs on Mars to prepare for the first human mission.

Tech2 News Staff|May 14, 2019, 20:30:35 IST

Four years after it was initiated, NASA's 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge has now come to a close. The competition ended with the $500,000 design award going to AI Space factory's concept for a habitat on Mars called MARSHA. The architecture and technology company based in New York went up against Pennsylvania State University to win the award. Penn State University didn't go home a loser — far from it, they were awarded $200,000 for the second-best off-world habitat.The 3D-printed Habitat Challenge was divided in three parts. The first stage was the design, where teams had to render the architecture of the habitats they wished to build, completed in 2015. Next, a structural member competition was completed in 2017, where teams focussed on material aspects of the habitat design. Finally, 3-D printed scaled versions of the on-site habitat designs were built.

[caption id="attachment_6631711" align="alignnone" width="1280"]

Printing a MARSHA prototype. Image: AI Space factory[/caption]

3D printing habitats on Mars

In the last leg, the competitors worked for 30 hours, over a period of four days, to print their designs. Constructed in 10-hour increments in front of a panel of judges, they were printed with minimal human intervention and carried out with robotic help. The structures were then subjected to a series of tests to test their durability, strength and if they are leak proof. They also evaluated the materials used and the technique.

"It’s light, and it’s strong, like an airplane. That’s going to be very important for these types of habitats," Lex Akers, Dean of the Caterpillar College of Engineering and Technology at Bradley University, said in a statement.

MARSHA's Features

MARSHA has some unique features. It is made from basalt fibre found on Mars that makes the construction economic. This is possible by a technology called in-situ resource utilization (ISRU). The cost of the project, if the material has to imported from Earth, will be astronomical. It is also biodegradable and recyclable.The vertical structure, as compared to the other dome-like shapes, will be better suited to the atmospheric pressure of Mars. It will also limit the movement of the robot when printing is in process.MARSHA has a double-shell and it will make the structure more liveable. The basalt fibre is a good insulator and will maintain the interior temperature against the constantly changing temperatures.[caption id="attachment_6631791" align="alignnone" width="1280"] MARSHA like it will look on Mars. Image credit: AI Spacefactory[/caption]Such technologies will enable more sustainable and autonomous exploration missions. NASA will send robots to dig up the landscape so that the printers will have sufficient material to work with. This will be in preparation of the arrivals of the human missions.[caption id="attachment_6631261" align="alignnone" width="1280"] TERA, the eco-friendly housing initiative on Earth, taken by AI Spacefactory. Image credit: AI Spacefactory.[/caption]

Terra-firma

AI Spacefactory now wants to use their designs for Earth as well. Named TERA, their project has “the potential to transform the way we build on Earth,” David Malott, CEO and Founder of AI SpaceFactory, said in a statement.TERA is rendered in the same image and likeness as MARSHA. It will reportedly be made using material recycled from MARSHA. It is eco-friendly and will also be 3D printed. They plan to build these houses near New York City.

Careless Whispers: Scientists discover that plants can 'talk' to each other using smells

Japanese scientists have recorded a video that shows plants, in certain conditions, communicate with each other using mists that carry smells. The discovery, reveals that plants release a fine mist of airborne compounds, to warn nearby plants of potential dangers

Life on Mars? European Space Agency’s Orbiter discovers ice water deposits at equator

European Space Agency's Mars Express Orbiter has identified massive ice and ice water deposits beneath the surface of Mars. The Mars Express orbiter was also the first to confirmed the presence of ice on Mars in 2004

Microsoft briefly overtakes Apple as the most valuable company, Apple back on top again

At its peak during the session, Microsoft's value reached $2.903 trillion, with a 2% surge. As of writing this article, Apple closed at $2.89 trillion, whereas Microsoft closed at $2.86 trillion

Even NASA is facing a tough time, starts layoffs following major budget cuts

NASA is facing some massive budget cuts, because of which, it has been forced to postpone some upcoming missions. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has been hit hard by recent federal budget cuts, resulting in the layoff of 100 contractors last week

ISRO, NASA's NISAR satellite to get ready by Jan-end, will monitor Earth's snow-covered regions

The NISAR satellite which has been developed jointly ISRO and NASA, should be ready for launch by the end of January 2024. The collaboration between NASA and ISRO on NISAR is the first time the two agencies have cooperated on hardware development for an Earth-observing mission

Up Next