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Laser 3D printer for printing "bricks" will be sent to the moon

Today, almost all spaceagencies and private companies intend to build a station on the moon, but there is a problem - there are no building materials on the satellite of our planet. They can be delivered from Earth, but according to researchers from the non-profit Institute Laser Zentrum Hannover, the transportation of one kilogram of building materials will cost companies $ 782,000. To prevent costs, they proposed creating building blocks of lunar regolith using a 3D laser laser printer called Moonrise.

It is known that the 3-kilogram apparatus MoonriseIt was created for nine months, and its laser and optical system - even longer. He is still at an experimental stage, but the creators plan to send him to the moon in 2021. It will be installed on the PTScientists moon rover, which will be launched using the Arian-64 launch vehicle.

3D printer prints bricks for lunar base

3D printer developers have shared thatAt the moment they are engaged in correct tuning of the laser. They will also have to thoroughly work on the protection of the apparatus - it is important to ensure that it can withstand both a fall on the lunar surface and temperature changes.

To test the device in terrestrial conditions,Researchers will also have to develop material that is as similar to lunar regolith as possible. During the tests, the 3D printer will try to melt it and create "bricks" of different shapes. After arriving on the moon in 2021, he will do the same, but in addition he will shoot the process and the results on a high-resolution camera.

The lunar rover of the PTScientists was already mentioned in one ofof our materials - the European Space Agency ESA intends to use it for the extraction of lunar soil in 2025. It is believed that the water contained in it can be useful in long-term space missions.

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