Tag: SpaceTechnology

NASA plans to build a house on the moon by 2040

Image of house build on mars and earth and galaxy is visible in background

NASA is currently preparing to establish a lunar abode that promises to be an amazing experience. The U.S. Space Agency recently has granted a pioneering construction firm $60 million to build a house on the moon by 2040, aimed not only for space explorers but also for the general public.

The innovative strategy involves sending an enormous 3D printer to the moon. This printer will utilize lunar concrete, composed of rocks and moon dust, to create the structure’s foundation.

Building a moon house
In collaboration with academic institutions and private enterprises, NASA is in the process of designing the essential components like doors, tiles, and furnishings for the moon dwelling.

Furthermore, the blueprint also entails establishing a base on Mars, intending to accommodate those venturing to reside on the Martian surface.

Evolving design
The project is still in its nascent phase, with only conceptual designs from 2022 shedding light on its potential appearance. However, this initial design might significantly evolve over the upcoming years.

For the moment, NASA remained silent about the potential cost for civilians seeking a lunar retreat.

3D printing moon houses
ICON, the Austin-based company that secured NASA’s 2022 contract, brings its terrestrial 3D printing prowess to the table. They meticulously craft opulent homes layer by layer, using their proprietary system, The Vulcan.

This method deploys a blend of cement, sand, and water as its filament, akin to a dense ink extruded from the printer in cohesive bands. Every structural element, such as walls or roofs, are printed distinctly and later assembled. Remarkably, this printing mechanism can complete properties in a mere 48 hours.

Innovative construction method
Since its inception in 2018, ICON has successfully printed over 100 homes in the northern region of Austin. This innovative construction method, with its rapid execution, has piqued interest as a potential solution to the U.S. housing dilemma.

NASA perceives 3D-printed moon houses as a pivotal aspect of its lunar ambitions. Raymond Clinton, aged 71, who holds the position of deputy director at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center’s science and technology division, said:

Source: https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-plans-to-build-house-on-the-moon-by-2040/

What Is ‘Hop Experiment’? Vikram Lander Surprises ISRO With Unplanned Move On Moon

India has achieved a great milestone by accomplishing its Chandrayaan-3 mission successfully, however, in a surprising turn of events, the Vikram lander attained an unexpected milestone when it performed a hop experiment on the Moon’s surface.

Chandrayaan-3
India has achieved a great milestone by accomplishing its Chandrayaan-3 mission successfully, however, in a surprising turn of events, the Vikram lander attained an unexpected milestone when it performed a hop experiment on the Moon’s surface.
India has achieved a great milestone by accomplishing its Chandrayaan-3 mission successfully, however, in a surprising turn of events, the Vikram lander attained an unexpected milestone when it performed a hop experiment on the Moon’s surface.

The Vikram lander, which made a historic landing on the Moon’s surface on August 23, was designed to study various aspects of the lunar environment. The lander and the Pragyan rover performed various experiments in 14 Earth days (one lunar day) before pitch darkness and frigid weather engulfed the lunar surface.

What Is ‘Hop’ Experiment? Chandrayaan-3 Project Director P Veeramuthuvel asserted that the Vikram lander performing a hop experiment on the Moon was unplanned and exceeded its mission objectives. It means the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft again landed on the Moon on command, which was not planned. The ‘hop experiment’ indicates new possible opportunities for future moon missions.

Veerafurther revealed that during the hop environment, the lander fired its engines on command, elevated itself by about 40 centimetres as expected, and landed. It then safely landed about 30 to 40 centimetres away from its original location at Shiv Shakti Point. This successful manoeuvre demonstrated the Chandrayaan-3’s capability to take off from the Moon’s surface, paving the way for future missions that could potentially return lunar samples to India.

The major challenge for ‘Vikram and Pragyan’ was to come back into action after surviving the chilling -200 degrees Celsius of temperature. It was believed that if the onboard instruments survived the low temperature on the Moon, the modules could come back to life and continue their mission to send information from the moon for the next fourteen days.

No Response From Chandrayaan-3’s Lander, Rover As Sun Sets On Moon

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in hopes that the Vikram lander and the Pragyan rover could have survived the previous cycle of the lunar night. However, there has been no response from the lunar ambassadors.

The onset of the lunar night, a period of darkness lasting approximately 14 Earth days, signals the end of all the attempts to revive the lander Vikram and rover Pragyan, despite its end of mission a month ago. Sunlight began receding on Shiv Shakti Point (point where Chandrayaan-3 made landing on lunar surface) on September 30.

 

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/what-is-hop-experiment-vikram-lander-surprises-isro-with-unplanned-move-on-moon-article-104167877

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