Architects from the Bjarke Ingels Group and SEArch+ are also contributing concepts and designs for these lunar structures.
The moon’s harsh environment poses challenges for construction, so NASA’s plan involves sending a 3-D printer to the moon to build structures using lunar concrete made from rock chips, mineral fragments, and other materials found on the lunar surface.
While moon dust can be hazardous to inhale, scientists see it as a potential resource for construction, similar to how Earth’s soil can be used in 3-D printing for terrestrial homes.
Icon secured a $57.2 million contract with NASA last year to develop technology for lunar infrastructure, including roads, habitats, and landing pads.
Establishing infrastructure on the moon is crucial for creating housing, as transporting materials from Earth would be prohibitively expensive.
Some scientists find NASA’s timeline for this lunar housing subdivision unrealistic, given the agency’s long absence from the moon.
However, others believe the goal is achievable if specific milestones are met along the way.
