National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announces top 3 finalists for 3D printed habitat challenge
If you’ve ever wonder how life on Mars would be for humans, NASA has selected three finalists in an initiative contest to manufacture 3D printed habitats intended to establish future colonies on other planets (starting with the red one).
The teams participating since 2015 in the ongoing design competition named NASA’s ‘3D-Printed Habitat Challenge’ achieved the lastest level of the contest: complete virtual construction. The first three won a share of the $ 100,000 prize.
In addition to the suggested use of resources available on Mars for the proposals, this stage required teams to create a large-scale habitat design employing modeling software. Perhaps, this level was built on an earlier stage that also required virtual modeling.
“They are not just designing structures, they are designing habitats that will allow our space explorers to live and work on other planets. We are excited to see their designs come to life as the competition moves forward.”
Monsi Roman, program manager for NASA’s Centennial Challenges.
About the 3 finalists
Well, SEArch + / Apis Cor, from New York, came in first place with the MARS X HOUSE. By using autonomus robotics, this project offers a robust, durable 3D printed habitat. Moreover, the unique shape allows a continuous reinforcement of the structure. Meanwhile, light enters through channel-shaped ports on the sides and top.
“Winning this latest phase of NASA’s Habitat Challenge is an incredible honor for all of us at SEArch+. We’re thrilled and humbled by the support from NASA and congratulate the other winning teams in our shared efforts to create human-centered design concepts for Mars and beyond.” Said Melodie Yashar, Co-Founder of SEArch+.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4pxp5AGeNE&w=560&h=315]Then, in the second place is Team Zopherus of Arkansas. Their design of the equipment suggests to 3D print their modular structures with an autonomous rover that prints a structure and then moves to the next site.
Finally, Team Mars Incubator, from Connecticut, came in third place. Their’s a design that represents a modular aspect of space housing and allows a great deal of natural light. In fact, one of the spaces is for growing plants.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHxO-zmqdLM&w=560&h=315]After evaluation by a panel of judges, NASA and challenge partner Bradley University of Peoria, Illinois, decided the finalists
Now, the last stage of the contest consists on a subscale structure printed face to face. It will be held from May 1st-4th, 2019 and the winner will get a prize of 800,000 euros.
Want to read a related post? Here it is Simulating Space Colonies With 3D Printing
