Have you ever wondered what a home on Mars would look like? NASA has a few ideas.
Back in 2015, the space agency launched the “3-D Printed Habitat Challenge.” The competition challenged teams to create sustainable shelters for the moon, Mars or other places in space using resources that would be available on-site.
This week, the agency picked three designs as finalists in the competition.
The first-place model was created by Team SEArch+/Apis Cor. NASA says the unique shape of the habitat allows for continuous reinforcement of the structure. It also allows light to enter through trough-shaped ports on the sides and top.
Second place went to a design created by Team Zopherus. Their habitat would be built by an autonomous printer that would use rovers to collect materials that can be used for construction.
The third-place design was created by Team Mars Incubator. Their proposed home features four “functional zones” that each serve a different purpose.
The teams that created the three designs selected by NASA split a $100,000 prize. They will now have to create 3-D print scale models of their homes for the next round.
