Throughout history, when pioneers opened unchanged areas for location of remote lands, dozens are only necessary: tools, seeds and clothing. Something else had to come from a new environment.
Thus, they built shelters from local wood, rocks and sod; He ate for dinner and planted the ground under the legs; and tools made from everything they want. It was difficult, but as a result, the successful ones made everything necessary to live.
When mankind puts a place like a month and Mars, something similar – astronauts face greater problems, even when the Vikings reached Grenland and Newfound. Only astronauts should not be limited to the supply and soil; The air will not be able to breathe.
Instead of ax and plates, today’s space pioneers will bring 3D printers. Like Engineer and Professor I focusing technologies, work and research to these remarkable cars to remove human existence from the ground.
3D printers will make tools, structures and habitats, the means need to survive in an enemy alien environment, the means need to survive pioneers, structures and habitats. The moon and Mars will ensure the presence of a long-term person.
To hammers to residential
Can print 3D on earth production, layer layer, thousands of thingsTo the hammers to the hammers, replacing it nose. These devices take raw materials like plastic, concrete or metal and place it on a computerized path to build a part. It is often called “Additional production“Because, as in ordinary processing, you continue to add more material than removing the material rather than extracting the material.
Over more, 3D printing continues in space. On International Space StationAstronauts use 3D printers Tools and spare partslike, for example Ratchet switches, clamps and brackets. Depending on the part, the print time can take up to a few hours of about 30 minutes.
Printing materials are mainly taken from the ground. But NASA began to use some of some materials like waste plastic to make new parts refabriteratorThe advanced 3D printer installed in 2019 has been installed.
Production in space
Why can you think that space researchers can not only bring everything you need. After all, this is the case The International Space Station was built Decades ago – by drawing the tones of prefabricated components from the ground.
However, it is impossible to build housing in other worlds. The use of materials into space is incredibly expensive. Currently, every pound has started a missile to land down It costs thousands of dollars. Evaluates the initial value around NASA to buy material to the moon $ 500,000 per pound.
Again, things in space are a problem. Location micrografly or the reduced weight, materials of the moon or mars behave Unlike the earth. Reduce weight or remove materials cool and reset the materials differently. There is six of the sixth of the month; Mars, about two five. Engineers and scientists are now working to operate 3D printers in these conditions.
By using the land of the other world
Will use 3D printers rather than plastic or metal Natural resources have been found in these environments. But finding the right raw materials is not easy. Residentialities in the Moon and Mars should protect the astronauts from the lack of air, extreme temperature, micrometorite effects and radiation.
RegololBoth AYSAR and Martian Surfaces can be a key ingredient to make particles like delicate, dusty, sand, these habitats. Think about Regolit in both worlds like Alien Dirt – Unlike the lands, there are several nutrients and no living organisms as much as we know. But it can be a good raw material for 3D printing.
My colleagues began to investigate this probability by examining regularly on a regular basis cement behaves in space. I now join them to develop the technique to become a printing material in Regolit As a result, try them in the month.
However, getting the problemagorldly regolol is a problem. Regololic samples Returned from the month during Apollo missions If it is not possible to access for research purposes in the 1960s and 70s, it is valuable, difficult. So scientists use Regolith Simulants to try the ideas. Actual Regolol can react differently than our simulators. We just don’t know.
Moreover, Regolol in the month It is very different from those in Mars. Martian Regolitdin has iron oxide – the thing that gives it a red color – but most of the moon regolyis silicatatOpen This is more thin and more angular. Researchers should learn how to use both types in the 3D printer.
Applications on the ground
NASA’s month-to-Mars Planetary Autonomous Construction Technology Program, It is also known as MMPACTThis is the development of the technology needed to print these habitats in the alien world.
Scientists are now being investigated between approaches: a Regolith-based concrete made of surface ice in the part; Melt regredit to use molds to form at high temperatures, then a liquid; and shavingRegolitis means warming with concentrated sunlight, lasers or microwave microwave Leaks of particles without needing connectors.
During these lines, my colleagues and I have made a Martian concrete called Marscrete, we call a material we use 3D Print Small test structure for NASA in 2017.
Then, in May 2019, using another special concrete 3D-print a Third-scale prototype Mars Habitat It can support everything necessary for residence, sleep, research and food production modules, including a long-term survival of astronauts.
This prototype, potential and challenges, build an apartment on the red planet. But there will be most of these technologies Benefit people on earth as well.
In the same way, astronauts will make sustainable products from natural resources, home building can concrete Found locals and aggregates locally found and perhaps From recycling debris. Engineers already adapt techniques that can print Martian habitats to eliminate the lack of space in the house here. Really, 3D printed houses already in the market.
Meanwhile, the movement continues to build a person outside the ground. Artemis 3Now it will be scheduled for Liftoff in 2027, the first human month decline since 1972. NASA trip can happen to Mars Early as 2035.
But when people go and reach there, I am sure that the 3D printers will be one of the main means to live outside the foreign territories.
Sven BilénEngineering design, Electrical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering, Prof. Penn Condition
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