The 3D printed egg-shaped structure of AI SpaceFactory won first prize in NASA’s 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge. The firm aims to recycle the materials to 3D print “the first-ever space-tech eco habitat on Earth”.

AI SpaceFactory’s design as chosen from over 60 others, lauded for the automation of their print, which was completed with nearly any human assistance in 30 hours. The material they used, an innovative biopolymer basalt composite, is biodegradable and recyclable, derived from natural materials found on Mars. The material is lightweight and strong.

Of MARSHA, as the design is called, a 4.6 metre (15 ft) tall prototype was printed, which included 3 robotically placed windows. The design withstood NASA’s pressure, smoke, and impact testing, proving to be more durable that its concrete competitors. (Read more about the competition here.)

After spending 2 years developing construction technologies, AI SpaceFactory plans to bring their space technologies to Earth this year They aim to recycle the materials from MARSHA and reuse them to create TERA, the first space-tech eco habitat on Earth.

“We developed these technologies for Space, but they have the potential to transform the way we build on Earth,” said David Malott, CEO and Founder of AI SpaceFactory. “By using natural, biodegradable materials grown from crops, we could eliminate the building industry’s massive waste of unrecyclable concrete and restore our planet.”

The first building of its kind, TERA is expected to launch on Indiegogo this month and will be available to anyone wanting to experience what sustainable life might be like on Mars. It will emphasize the need for new, renewable construction technologies on this planet, while researching what’s needed to enable life on a new one.

Photos: AI SpaceFactory