ESA will build a moonbase in 3D printing

3D printing is a technology that has affected many areas such as prototyping and manufacturing technique quickly and, above all, flexible. In fact, 3D printing is already present in the field of medicine (to develop prostheses) and even in space exploration where NASA evaluates their use in the International Space Station to fabricate spare parts. However, the European Space Agency (ESA) will use 3D printing as a base on which to build a base on the Moon's surface.

Although the idea may seem strange to us, it is the first project of this type is proposed and, for example, NASA is also considering something similar. In this case, the ESA seeks to follow the path they are following some projects of architecture and civil engineering with the use of 3D printing in the field of construction.

Using 3D printing allow quick deployment since it would eliminate the need to send materials for the construction of moon base that, in fact, the project would use rock moon pieces as material with which to create structures of this base , which means that the raw material would already be on the target. To develop the project, the ESA will be supported by the company D-shape, which specializes in the development of 3D printing based structures. The project is not at all easy because, unlike the Earth, we are talking about 3D printing in vacuum conditions and the use of liquids is a problem.

Furthermore meet the conditions for construction, the project must be able to accommodate at least 4 people and protect them from meteorites, radiation or rapid temperature changes. If we add that, from Earth, it would have to send a structure which would pillars and foundations of the base, the challenge it faces the ESA is quite interesting.