NASA and America Makes Launch 3D Printed Habitat Challenge

Additive manufacturing (AM) is becoming an important part of mankind’s continuing exploration of space. Not only can AM solve critical supply issues, it can also build a large number of spare parts upon demand, reducing the need to keep the items onboard a spacecraft or space station. It’s also entirely possible to begun construction of a new base of operations in space by leveraging the power of AM.

The latter use is the subject of a new contest promoted by NASA and America Makes. The 3D Printed Habitat Challenge offers a chance for professional and amateur engineers, designers and AM enthusiasts to present their vision of how a 3D printed structure on Mars might appear and function. Think of it as crowdsourcing for the final frontier.

“The future possibilities for 3-D printing are inspiring, and the technology is extremely important to deep space exploration,” said Sam Ortega, Centennial Challenges program manager. “This challenge definitely raises the bar from what we are currently capable of, and we are excited to see what the maker community does with it.”

The contest runs in two phases. The first phase will be announced at the Bay Area Maker Faire in San Mateo, CA, runs through Sept. 27. This phase is a design challenge, and calls on creative individuals to develop plans for a habitat on Mars.

Designs are limited to 1,000 ft2 (92.9 m2) of space, and must include areas meant for living space, life support features, and room for research duties. The habitat should be developed with four occupants in mind.

The top 30 submissions will be judged, and awards will be handed out at the 2015 World Maker Faire in New York. Along with a 3D printed scale model of the design, the first place winner will receive $25,000, second place $15,000 and third place $10,000.

The second phase of the contest is divided into two different categories. From the announcement:

The Structural Member Competition (Level 1) focuses on the fabrication technologies needed to manufacture structural components from a combination of indigenous materials and recyclables, or indigenous materials alone. The On-Site Habitat Competition (Level 2) challenges competitors to fabricate full-scale habitats using indigenous materials or indigenous materials combined with recyclables. Both levels open for registration Sept. 26, and each carries a $1.1 million prize.

For full details on the contest visit the 3D Printed Habitat Challenge site at America Makes.

Below you’ll find a video (with fantastic music) about 3D printing from NASA.

Source: NASA