Europe's Vision of a Future Moon Base. Made out of Moon Dust.

By Evan Gough November 23, 2018
Europe's Vision of a Future Moon Base. Made out of Moon Dust.

“3D printing offers a potential means of facilitating lunar settlement with reduced logistics from Earth.” -Scott Hovland of ESA’s human spaceflight team.

  • Phase One: Survivable. This addresses the basics needed to allow a small crew to survive on the Moon, like living quarters.

  • Phase Two: Sustainable. This sees the Moon base being expanded to include more crew quarters, fabrication areas, and research facilities.

  • Phase Three: Operational. In this phase, the Moon base is fully operational and built for long-term habitation.

    • 3D Bio-Printing

    "We’re asking what astronauts would need in the short, medium and long term, and what steps are needed to mature 3D bioprinting to a level where it can be useful in space." - Tommaso Ghidini, head of ESA’s Structures, Mechanisms and Materials Division.

    Moon Base Enthusiasm

    Sources:

  • ESA Press Release: Future Moon Base

  • ESA Press Release: Pangaea-X Moon base

  • ESA Press Release: 3D Printing Skin, Bone, and Body Parts Under Study for Future Astronauts

  • ESA Press Release: Building a Lunar Base With 3D Printing

    • Evan Gough

    Evan Gough

    Evan Gough is a science-loving guy with no formal education who loves Earth, forests, hiking, and heavy music. He's guided by Carl Sagan's quote: "Understanding is a kind of ecstasy."