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takyon [soylentnews.org] writes:

3D Printing Industry ICON partners with NASA to develop 3D printed Moon infrastructure in 'Project Olympus' [3dprintingindustry.com]

Texas-based construction company ICON [iconbuild.com] has gained a NASA [nasa.gov] contract to develop a 3D printed off-world construction system for the Moon.

Project Olympus will see ICON partner with architecture firms BIG [big.dk] and SEArch+ [spacexarch.com] to design robust lunar structures that can be built using materials available on the Moon's surface. As part of the program, ICON has also created a new division, dedicated to developing and demonstrating prototype elements for a full-scale space-based 3D printing system.

Through the project, NASA aims to develop a more sustainable presence on the Moon, and in doing so, allow humanity to become a permanently spacefaring civilization.

See also: 3D-printed houses completed for Austin's homeless population [archpaper.com]

Related: NASA Announces the 3D Printed Habitat Challenge For Moon and Mars Bases [soylentnews.org]
Startup Can 3D Print Small Homes in 12-24 Hours, for Up to $10,000 Each [soylentnews.org]

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