NASA approaches new phase in building colonies on the Moon and Mars

publication date:
Aug 15, 2021 8:16 AM GMT

Date of update: August 15, 2021 8:30 p.m. GMT

The US space agency “NASA” is entering a new stage in the construction of colonies on the Moon and on Mars using the soil of celestial bodies, according to a report from the site “Universe Today”, which is interested in space news .

The report revealed that the US agency sent a 3D print to the International Space Station and that the Redwire Regolith Print (RRP) machine will work with the station’s current printing system (ManD), to experiment with 3D printing. of simulated regolith, or rocks and loose. ground, found on the surface of the Moon.

The results could help determine the feasibility of using “regret” as a raw material and 3D printing as a technology for building habitats and other structures on demand in future space exploration missions.

If successful, the ISS crew will measure the strength of the resulting material to see if it can withstand the harsh conditions outside of Earth.

If all goes well, the printing machine will allow astronauts to print at least some of their habitats on demand, which in turn could reduce the volume of supplies NASA brings to the Moon and Mars, and also allow the resources available on the Moon. and Mars to use to build structures and habitats, to reduce the amount of material that future explorers will have to extract from Earth.

And “NASA” sent the 3D printing to the International Space Station aboard the American company North Grumman’s “Cygnus” spacecraft, and the spacecraft also carried several foods on board, so that the astronauts away from the sea. Earth can enjoy it.

The expedition was not limited to food and printing, but also carried racks to install the solar wings, which will be launched into the orbital lab next year.

The object that will be launched simulates moon dust, so it will be used to create elements from the 3D printer on the International Space Station.

The “Cygnus” spacecraft also carried what is called a “colloidal mold” for a French educational experiment called “Blob”, in addition to an infrared monitoring device, to serve as a prototype for monitoring satellites at the same time. ‘to come up.

This is the 16th expedition of “North Rob Grumman” to the International Space Station, and according to reports, this payload is the heaviest in the history of what the company has shipped so far.