NASA has unveiled a plan to create settlements on the Moon by 2040. At first glance it might seem like a bold step into the future, but doubts and questions emerge. Are the technology and resources needed to build such settlements really within our reach? And what challenges will have to be faced to make this dream a reality?
These are just some of the questions we ask ourselves when faced with an undertaking of this magnitude: but let's get there slowly.
Project Olympus: a bold vision
Human settlements on the Moon have always been a dream for many, but now, thanks to NASA, they could become a tangible reality. The space agency has partnered with ICON, an Austin-based company, to achieve this ambitious project by 2040.
The heart of this initiative, I read from the New York Times, is called “Project Olympus”. But what exactly does it entail? Instead of sending building materials from Earth, NASA plans to use a large-scale 3D printer to build structures directly on the Moon. This printer would use a special “lunar concrete” made from fragments of rock, minerals and dust from the surface of our satellite.
Collaborations and challenges
Given the incredible complexity of such a project, the US space agency is not working alone. Collaborations initiated with various private companies and universities aim to build not only the structures, but also the doors, furniture and tiles for these settlements. Walls and furnishings, to put it simply.
Niki Werkheiser, NASA's director of technology maturation, expressed optimism about the project, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and innovation.
However, as with any pioneering project, there are challenges to face. One of the main concerns is lunar dust, which is extremely abrasive and potentially harmful to building materials themselves. Not to mention the fact that launching materials into space is still no walk in the park, another reason why the collaboration with ICON is crucial. The company has the expertise to use lunar soil in its 3D printers, thus reducing the need to transport materials from Earth.
Human settlements on the Moon: it's all about materials
Before starting actual construction in space, ICON will test its printer at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center next year. Victor Pritchett, director of Marshall's experimental and environmental fluids testing branch, explains that over there they have test chambers that simulate the radiation and thermal vacuum conditions that would be created in space. If materials can withstand these conditions, they are likely to hold up in space.
Before it can build, however, NASA will have to launch landing pads for the rockets that will carry the 3D printers to the Moon. These platforms will be positioned away from construction sites to minimize dust raised during landing and takeoff.
In conclusion, while appreciating NASA's enthusiasm and determination (last year they placed their estimates within this decade), I doubt we will actually see Project Olympus by 2040. However, we have to start somewhere.
