Space colonisation is one of the greatest challenges of mankind. The most appealing idea is exploiting habitats on the Moon by using the novel technology of 3D printing. This idea would use a 3D printer to build a concrete-like dome from the lunar soil, which would be consolidated with a binding liquid. The aim of my research is to study the feasibility, the endurance of a 3D printed lunar habitat to the harsh environmental conditions and to put these ideas into practice. After creating the proper lunar soil simulant, I carried out measurements of the physical properties of concrete in order to design the structure of the base. Finally, I developed a self-built Moon-printer by designing a concrete-printing head, an innovation in this field, and printed a scale model of the lunar outpost.
Contestants
Dávid Puskás
Materials
Country
Hungary