Researchers have proven that Martian soil can serve as a material for 3D printing - this means that it
The result of this experiment will be importantimplications for future crewed missions to Mars. “In space, 3D printing is an important part of a manned mission because we won’t be able to take everything we need with us. And if we forget something, we will not be able to return for it, ”the scientists say.
In addition to solving logistical problems,production on Mars will reduce costs. For example, on a spacecraft, each kilogram of payload transported to low Earth orbit costs NASA $54,000.
Average distance between Earth and Marsis 225 million km, so delivering cargo to the Red Planet will cost more than delivering cargo to the International Space Station (ISS) in low Earth orbit.
In most 3D printing tests, researchersmixed different amounts of simulated Martian regolith with a titanium alloy. They also tried to make a 3D printing material out of pure simulated regolith.
They heated the dry ingredients to 2,000°C and thenpoured molten material into a 3D printer to give the material different shapes and sizes. The researchers tested each object for strength and durability.
The team found that a mixture containing 5%regolith was harder and stronger than titanium alloy. The clean regolith cracked when cooled after printing, but the team speculated that it could be used to cover radiation shields that would not be affected by the cracks.
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