NASA has organized a contest to design a house on Mars, and this printable module is the winner

Space colony design has become a favorite project for some of the world's most prominent architects, but few concepts have been endorsed by NASA space explorers.

Earlier this month, NASA took first place in its 3D Printed Habitat Challenge, which asked teams to create a 3D habitat that could shelter humans on Mars.

The competition, which began in 2015, was divided into three phases: design, materials technologies and construction. The finalists were limited to two teams, AI SpaceFactory and Pennsylvania State University, who had four days to build shelters three times larger than their original vision.

The winning team, AI SpaceFactory, received $ 500,000 for its design, a vertical module that can be printed in just 30 hours.

Take a look at the Marsha prototype, which will soon be recycled in a real habitat on Earth.

NASA aims to create habitats on Mars before the arrival of people, so that the prototype teams are essential to human life.

The ideal prototype had to be both solid and light, like an airplane.

Marsha's vertical cells mimic the natural light of the Earth, while providing a glimpse into their surroundings.

The bucket windows can protect the inhabitants from solar radiation.

The pods feature hatching deploys of space combinations and a docking port for a Mars mobile exploration.

The company calls the prototype a "little bubble of the Earth".

There are also spaces to sleep and work.

The design includes a garden, a kitchen and an exercise and recreation room.

The outside is made up of a double-skinned shell that keeps the internal temperature constant.

Residents can climb illuminated stairs to access each level.

For the final phase of the contest, the drawing was printed in front of an audience in less than 30 hours.

An industrial robot was lifted by a forklift to print the 15-foot habitat, which contains about 550 layers of material.

The company has developed its own formula using natural materials from the red planet.

The material, or "Martian polymer", consists of basalt fiber extracted from Martian rock and biodegradable plastic made from plants that can theoretically grow on Mars. More importantly, the formula does not require water.

The prototype passed NASA's "crash test", although it spilled broken pieces.

The designs have been tested for leakage, durability and strength.

While other teams have designed low elevation domes, AI SpaceFactory said the vertical nacelles were better suited to handle atmospheric pressure on Mars.

By printing vertically, the company can keep its industrial robot in the same place instead of letting it roam on the ground.

The company plans to recycle its prototype materials to create a similar habitat on Earth.

Terrestrial habitat, called Tera, will be launched on Indiegogo as early as September.

"We have developed these technologies for space, but they have the potential to transform the way we build on Earth," said David Malott, CEO and founder of the company, in a statement. "By using natural and biodegradable materials derived from crops, we could eliminate the huge waste of the building industry."