Nasa chooses future homes to colonize Mars: they are the finalists

NASA has selected three finalists for an initiative contest for the manufacture of 3D printed spaces intended to establish future colonies on Mars.

Teams participating in Nasa's 3D Printed Habitat Challenge completed the final level of the contest: a complete virtual build, and the top three won a share of the $ 100,000 prize.

This step forced the teams to create a large scale housing project, with the help of a modeling software. This level was built on an earlier stage that also required virtual modeling.

Eleven proposals were ranked and awarded based on architectural design, programming, efficient use of interior space and scalability of 3D printing and capacity building construction.

The teams also prepared short videos containing information about their designs, as well as miniature models printed in 3D, separated to illustrate the interior design. Points have also been awarded for aesthetic representation and realism.

After evaluation by a jury, NASA and its partner in this contest, Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, named the three finalists.

Team SEArch + / Apis Cor, from New York, came in first place. The unique shape of its habitat allows a continuous strengthening of the structure. According to NASA, light enters through channel-shaped ports on the sides and at the top.

The Zopherus team from Arkansas was in second place. The design of the equipment would be built by a self-employed itinerant printer who prints a structure and then moves on to the next site.

Finally, the Connecticut Mars Incubator team took third place with a design that represents a modular aspect of housing in the space and allows a large amount of natural light.

The contest will end with a subscale structure printed from May 1 to 4, 2019 and awarding a prize of nearly $ 900,000 to the winner.