ICON’s vision for constructing a base on the lunar surface could come to fruition by 2026. (Image Credit: ICON)
It almost sounds silly. But 3rd parties doing work on other planets seems like a real future industry. NASA recently awarded a $57.2 million contract to ICON, an Austin, Texas, 3D printing firm, for Project Olympus, the company’s vision to build bases on the Moon and Mars. This would mark the first time humanity constructed a structure out of this world. NASA could deploy ICON’s tech on the Moon by 2026 if the Artemis missions succeed.
In preparation for this task, ICON plans to examine the lunar regolith to figure out its mechanical behavior in simulated lunar gravity. That way, the company can build its structures using lunar materials, like moon dust and fragmented rocks. ICON officials believe their studies can be used for future lunar construction, including roads, blast shields, and landing pads.
(Image Credit: ICON)
ICON CEO Jason Ballard says that building from lunar regolith makes the long-term human presence on the Moon more viable. It would otherwise be a huge hassle to transport payloads from the Earth whenever new constructions are required.
Although ICON is famous for developing 3D-printer homes and military barracks on Earth, its overall goal involves building structures in space. First launched in 2020, Project Olympus could lead to 3D-printed structures on Mars.
“To change the space exploration paradigm from ‘there and back again’ to ‘there to stay,’ we’re going to need robust, resilient, and broadly capable systems that can use the local resources of the Moon and other planetary bodies. We’re pleased that our research and engineering to-date has demonstrated that such systems are indeed possible, and we look forward to now making that possibility a reality,” said Ballard. “The final deliverable of this contract will be humanity’s first construction on another world, and that is going to be a pretty special achievement.”
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