NASA chose the finalists for the development of a Martian dwelling

The next stage of the 3D-Printed contest is over.Habitat Challenge to create the concept of housing for the future colonizers of Mars, organized by the NASA aerospace agency four years ago. Among all the works presented during this stage, the agency selected three detailed concepts for creating Martian dwellings using 3D printing technology. Three selected participants will be able to divide the prize in the amount of $ 100,000, and take part in the grand final of the competition, which will begin next month.

Launched in 2015 competition 3D-PrintedThe Habitat Challenge was able to unite around itself a multitude of competing teams, and proposes the development of concepts, virtual models and images of potential Martian dwellings, the construction of which could be carried out, including using the available natural resources of planetary bodies, such as Mars and the moon.

In the last stage of the competition, participantsit was proposed to create fully thought-out virtual detailed models of their housing concepts, showing not only their exterior, but also the interior, while demonstrating the possibilities of using 3D printing technology to create certain elements of the proposed version of the future space colony. Each team prepared for the presentation of its detailed concept video.

So who are these three finalists?

In the last stage, the winner wasNew York team SEArch + / Apis Cor. For its submitted concept, which proposes the use of high tower structures of helical form, which ensures the strength of the entire structure, received $ 34,000. In this concept, it is proposed to use regolith, from which concrete will be produced for and basalt fiber for the construction of the base. The lighting inside the home is created by a natural source of light. For this purpose, the use of protected windows is proposed on the facade as well as the roof.

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Second place and $ 33,400 in prize money receivedTeam Zoperhous from Arkansas (USA), a continuing home concept, which is supposed to be created using automated rovers that will collect the natural resources of a planetary object (regolith and silica) as well as a large, mobile, dome-shaped 3D printer. Together with natural resources, it is supposed to use a special thermoplastic capable of withstanding extreme changes in surface temperature. To protect against increased background radiation, it is proposed to use special shielding elements. Each module will be equipped with several docking “pockets”, which will allow expanding the base according to needs.

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Third place went to a concept called Mars.Incubator, which was offered by a team from Connecticut (USA). Their option offers the construction of regolith and durable polyethylene of four modules: technical (for rovers), the main residential module, one multifunctional (for different tasks), as well as a module with a biogeneration zone (for growing plants). The team received a prize of 32,600 dollars.

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Completion of the NASA 3D-Printed Habitat ContestChallenge will be held from 1 to 4 May. The main objective of the grand final will be to create small-scale models of their home concepts using 3D printers. The winner will take $ 800,000 in prize money.

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