The Indian company AAKA Space Studio has created a protective shield for future colonies on Mars using 3D printing. The prototype uses materials that mimic the composition of Martian soil, combining olivine-rich basalt from Salem and marly limestone from Ariyalur with lime-based binders. Tested in an analog mission in Gujarat, the shield demonstrated attenuation of cosmic radiation and maintained thermal stability.
Basalt, limestone, and lime: the recipe for a Martian habitat 🚀
The technical development focused on replicating the properties of Martian regolith using accessible terrestrial materials. The mixture of basalt with olivine and marly limestone, bound with lime binders, was processed via 3D printing to form dense blocks. During tests, the structure reduced ionizing radiation and withstood extreme thermal variations, critical conditions for a habitat on Mars. The approach avoids transporting materials from Earth.
Mars will have stone houses, but still no plumber 🛠️
AAKA Space Studio has solved how to avoid getting fried by cosmic rays on Mars, but they forgot something important: who is going to clean the windows of Martian dust. The basalt and limestone shield seems solid, but if astronauts expect a hot shower upon arrival, they better keep dreaming. At least, when they get bored, they can count the 3D printing layers to fall asleep.