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Building a Lunar Future: Beihang University’s Bold Steps into Space-Based Construction 3D Printing

Researchers from China’s Beihang University want to be at the forefront of space exploration. By combining transportation science, aerospace technology, and construction engineering, they aim to lay the foundations for…

NASA Funds Contour Crafting’s Material Transport Tech for Lunar Construction

We recently reported that NASA was funding more than 20 3D printing-related proposals as part of its 2022 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program….

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ESA Aims to Extract Oxygen from Moon Dust and 3D Print Metal with the Remnants

For those following from afar the various projects geared toward additive construction on the Moon or Mars, one thought may not have occurred: what about oxygen? How will astronauts breathe…

Moon Dust Melted in Einstein Elevator, Assessing Space Colonization and 3D Printing on the Moon

In terms of colonization, the smallest 3D printer possible could be stashed on board a spacecraft en route to the Moon or Mars, with robots then used to mine for…

ADAM: A Concept for Autonomous Construction on Mars

Gracinda Ferreira has an interesting concept for building structures on Mars and beyond. Her ADAM idea calls for an automated construction tool to 3D print homes on the surface. After…

3D Printing on Mars: Creating Habitats with Realistic Materials

In the recently published ‘Martian Material Sourcing Challenges Propel Earth Construction Opportunities,’ authors Matthew Troemner and Gianluca Cusatis tackle the ongoing and fascinating subject of colonizing Mars. Painting a very…