31 January 2013<\/em>: Setting up a lunar base could be made much simpler by using a 3D printer to build it from local materials. Industrial partners including renowned architects Foster + Partners have joined with ESA to test the feasibility of 3D printing using lunar soil.<\/p>\n \u201cTerrestrial 3D printing technology has produced entire structures,\u201d said Laurent Pambaguian, heading the project for ESA.<\/p>\n \u201cOur industrial team investigated if it could similarly be employed to build a lunar habitat.\u201d<\/p>\n Foster + Partners devised a weight-bearing \u2018catenary\u2019 dome design with a cellular structured wall to shield against micrometeoroids and space radiation, incorporating a pressurised inflatable to shelter astronauts.<\/p>\n A hollow closed-cell structure \u2013 reminiscent of bird bones \u2013 provides a good combination of strength and weight.<\/p>\n The base\u2019s design was guided in turn by the properties of 3D-printed lunar soil, with a 1.5 tonne building block produced as a demonstration.<\/p>\n \u201c3D printing offers a potential means of facilitating lunar settlement with reduced logistics from Earth,\u201d added Scott Hovland of ESA\u2019s human spaceflight team.<\/p>\n \u201cThe new possibilities this work opens up can then be considered by international space agencies as part of the current development of a common exploration strategy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs a practice, we are used to designing for extreme climates on Earth and exploiting the environmental benefits of using local, sustainable materials,\u201d remarked Xavier De Kestelier of Foster + Partners Specialist Modelling Group. \u201cOur lunar habitation follows a similar logic.\u201d<\/p>\n The UK\u2019s Monolite supplied the D-Shape printer, with a mobile printing array of nozzles on a 6 m frame to spray a binding solution onto a sand-like building material.<\/p>\n 3D \u2018printouts\u2019 are built up layer by layer \u2013 the company more typically uses its printer to create sculptures and is working on artificial coral reefs to help preserve beaches from energetic sea waves.<\/p>\n \u201cFirst, we needed to mix the simulated lunar material with magnesium oxide. This turns it into \u2018paper\u2019 we can print with,\u201d explained Monolite founder Enrico Dini.<\/p>\n \u201cThen for our structural \u2018ink\u2019 we apply a binding salt which converts material to a stone-like solid.<\/p>\n \u201cOur current printer builds at a rate of around 2 m per hour, while our next-generation design should attain 3.5 m per hour, completing an entire building in a week.\u201d<\/p>\n Italian space research firm Alta SpA worked with Pisa-based engineering university Scuola Superiore Sant\u2019Anna on adapting 3D printing techniques to a Moon mission and ensuring process quality control. The effect of working in a vacuum was also assessed.<\/p>\n \u201cThe process is based on applying liquids but, of course, unprotected liquids boil away in vacuum,\u201d said Giovanni Cesaretti of Alta.<\/p>\n \u201cSo we inserted the 3D printer nozzle beneath the regolith layer. We found small 2 mm-scale droplets stay trapped by capillary forces in the soil, meaning the printing process can indeed work in vacuum.\u201d<\/p>\n Simulated lunar regolith is produced for scientific testing by specialist companies, typically sold by the kilogram. But the team required many tonnes for their work.<\/p>\n \u201cAs another useful outcome, we discovered a European source of simulated lunar regolith,\u201d added Enrico.<\/p>\n \u201cBasaltic rock from one volcano in central Italy turns out to bear a 99.8% resemblance to lunar soil.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis project took place through ESA\u2019s General Studies Programme, used to look into new topics,\u201d Laurent commented.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have confirmed the basic concept, and assembled a capable team for follow-on work.\u201d<\/p>\n Factors such as controlling lunar dust \u2013 hazardous to breathe in \u2013 and thermal factors will require further study.<\/p>\n 3D printing works best at room temperature but over much of the Moon temperatures vary enormously across days and nights lasting two weeks each. For potential settlement, the lunar poles offer the most moderate temperature range.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The ESA released this interesting item about building structures on the Moon with large scale 3D printers: Building a lunar base with 3D printing 31 January 2013: Setting up a lunar base could be made much simpler by using a 3D printer to build it from local materials. Industrial partners including renowned architects Foster + … Continue reading ESA: Building a lunar base with 3D printing<\/span> ![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.esa.int\/var\/esa\/storage\/images\/esa_multimedia\/images\/2013\/01\/1.5_tonne_building_block_produced_as_a_demonstration\/12501046-1-eng-GB\/1.5_tonne_building_block_produced_as_a_demonstration_medium.jpg\")
<\/a>1.5 tonne building block<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.esa.int\/var\/esa\/storage\/images\/esa_multimedia\/images\/2013\/01\/multi-dome_base_being_constructed\/12502108-1-eng-GB\/Multi-dome_base_being_constructed_medium.jpg\")
<\/a>Multi-dome base being constructed<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.esa.int\/var\/esa\/storage\/images\/esa_multimedia\/images\/2013\/01\/d-shapetm_printer\/12501219-1-eng-GB\/D-ShapeTM_printer_small.jpg\")
D-ShapeTM printer<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.esa.int\/var\/esa\/storage\/images\/esa_multimedia\/images\/2013\/01\/3d-printed_sculpture\/12501370-1-eng-GB\/3D-printed_sculpture_small.jpg\")
<\/a>3D-printed sculpture<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.esa.int\/var\/esa\/storage\/images\/esa_multimedia\/images\/2013\/01\/lunar_south_pole\/12501510-1-eng-GB\/Lunar_south_pole_small.jpg\")
<\/a>Lunar south pole<\/p>\n