During the Apollo program, NASA used the Apollo Command Module (CM) to construct and service houses on the moon. Using the CM, the mission was able to accomplish several tasks that were previously impossible. These include using a planetary body as a source of water and food, and constructing buildings that could withstand the extreme conditions of the lunar environment.
ICON
Located in Austin, Texas, ICON is a construction company specializing in large scale 3D printing technologies. The company also specialises in robotics and construction software. It is currently working on two projects with NASA: a Moon to Mars Planetary Autonomous Construction Technology (MMPACT) project and a simulated 3D printed Mars surface habitat.
The company has already landed a series of subcontracts with NASA worth nearly $57.2 million. Its latest contract will help it develop “Project Olympus,” a scheme to build structures on the moon. The system will use local Martian and lunar resources to construct multi-purpose infrastructure.
The company is showcasing its capabilities with a simulated 1,700 square foot modeled Martian habitat near Houston. The project is part of NASA’s Mars Planetary Autonomous Construction Technologies (MMPACT) project. ICON’s engineering team will collaborate with Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
Olympus
Several architecture firms are working to build buildings on the moon. They include BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group, which designed Mars Science City, and SEArch+, a New York firm that is known for building extra-terrestrial structures.
The US space agency has been looking for ways to improve infrastructure on the moon. It is hoping to send astronauts to the moon in 2024 as part of its Artemis program. The agency’s 2020 review notes that 3D printing in construction could reduce construction time by up to 50% and labor costs by up to 80%. ICON is one company that has received funding to test the technology.
The Austin, Texas-based company has been working with NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center to develop a system to construct lunar buildings using local resources. They plan to use regolith simulants and lunar dust as the prime materials.
Northrop Grumman
During the first CRS-1 contract, Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft carried more than 31,500 kg of cargo to the International Space Station. Since then, the robotic spacecraft has delivered more than 70,000 pounds of cargo to the station.
NASA has awarded Northrop Grumman a contract to build the Habitat and Logistics Outpost (HALO) module for its Lunar Gateway project. The Lunar Gateway will help support long-term human exploration of the moon. The Habitat and Logistics Outpost will provide a crew habitat and logistics hub. It will be located in cislunar orbit, where it will be able to support four astronauts for 30 days. It will also feature environmental controls, thermal technologies, life-support systems and command and control capabilities.
HALO is a key part of the Lunar Gateway, which will enable surface landings on the moon. The HALO module is a docking hub for vehicles that will be used to transport people and supplies.
Cork & Chroma
Founded by American couple Hillary and B.J. Wall, Cork & Chroma is a paint and drink studio that specializes in providing a unique and fun way to experience art and creativity. The couple moved to Australia five years ago and saw the potential for similar classes in the country. They opened the first Cork & Chroma studio in Brisbane in 2013 and have expanded to a new Sydney location. Whether you’re looking for a special occasion or just want to try your hand at painting, these workshops are a perfect way to enjoy yourself.
All of the artists at Cork & Chroma are trained to guide you through the painting process. Each session follows a simple, step-by-step plan that will help you create your own masterpiece. The art studio is located near Jazushi in Sydney, and the classes are $20 per person. The artists will live-stream their painting instructions, making it easy for anyone to watch and paint along.
Zirka
During the Space Age, Soviet specialists were thinking about the Moon and lunar bases. One of the ideas was a “Horizon” project, a concept for a launch pad for nuclear missiles on the Moon. Another was the Zirka house building service on the moon, a concept for a train-like structure to transport people and equipment to the surface. However, the Zirka was only a gimmick, not a practical reality. Nonetheless, it was still the most hyped idea of the era.
The Zirka, by Volodymyr Barmin, was an ambitious project, incorporating nine cylindrical blocks, energy modules, a chassis for the lunar rover, a service module, and a residential module. The Zirka was designed to lodge 12 people and was accompanied by a “train” which could transport them from the Earth to the lunar surface.
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