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3D printing will help space pioneers make homes, tools and other stuff they need to colonize the Moon and Mars
Last Updated on April 12, 2025 by Daily News Staff
3D printing will help space pioneers make homes, tools and other stuff they need to colonize the Moon and Mars
Throughout history, when pioneers set out across uncharted territory to settle in distant lands, they carried with them only the essentials: tools, seeds and clothing. Anything else would have to come from their new environment.
So they built shelter from local timber, rocks and sod; foraged for food and cultivated the soil beneath their feet; and fabricated tools from whatever they could scrounge up. It was difficult, but ultimately the successful ones made everything they needed to survive.
Something similar will take place when humanity leaves Earth for destinations such as the Moon and Mars – although astronauts will face even greater challenges than, for example, the Vikings did when they reached Greenland and Newfoundland. Not only will the astronauts have limited supplies and the need to live off the land; they won’t even be able to breathe the air.
Instead of axes and plows, however, today’s space pioneers will bring 3D printers. As an engineer and professor who is developing technologies to extend the human presence beyond Earth, I focus my work and research on these remarkable machines.
3D printers will make the tools, structures and habitats space pioneers need to survive in a hostile alien environment. They will enable long-term human presence on the Moon and Mars.
From hammers to habitats
On Earth, 3D printing can fabricate, layer by layer, thousands of things, from replacement hips to hammers to homes. These devices take raw materials, such as plastic, concrete or metal, and deposit it on a computerized programmed path to build a part. It’s often called “additive manufacturing,” because you keep adding material to make the part, rather than removing material, as is done in conventional machining.
Already, 3D printing in space is underway. On the International Space Station, astronauts use 3D printers to make tools and spare parts, such as ratchet wrenches, clamps and brackets. Depending on the part, printing time can take from around 30 minutes to several hours.
For now, the print materials are mostly hauled up from Earth. But NASA has also begun recycling some of those materials, such as waste plastic, to make new parts with the Refabricator, an advanced 3D printer installed in 2019.
Manufacturing in space
You may be wondering why space explorers can’t simply bring everything they need with them. After all, that’s how the International Space Station was built decades ago – by hauling tons of prefabricated components from Earth.
But that’s impractical for building habitats on other worlds. Launching materials into space is incredibly expensive. Right now, every pound launched aboard a rocket just to get to low Earth orbit costs thousands of dollars. To get materials to the Moon, NASA estimates the initial cost at around US$500,000 per pound.
Still, manufacturing things in space is a challenge. In the microgravity of space, or the reduced gravity of the Moon or Mars, materials behave differently than they do on Earth. Decrease or remove gravity, and materials cool and recrystallize differently. The Moon has one-sixth the gravity of Earth; Mars, about two-fifths. Engineers and scientists are working now to adapt 3D printers to function in these conditions.
Using otherworldly soil
On alien worlds, rather than plastic or metal, 3D printers will use the natural resources found in these environments. But finding the right raw materials is not easy. Habitats on the Moon and Mars must protect astronauts from the lack of air, extreme temperatures, micrometeorite impacts and radiation.
Regolith, the fine, dusty, sandlike particles that cover both the lunar and Martian surfaces, could be a primary ingredient to make these dwellings. Think of the regolith on both worlds as alien dirt – unlike Earth soil, it contains few nutrients, and as far as we know, no living organisms. But it might be a good raw material for 3D printing.
My colleagues began researching this possibility by first examining how regular cement behaves in space. I am now joining them to develop techniques for turning regolith into a printable material and to eventually test these on the Moon.
But obtaining otherworldly regolith is a problem. The regolith samples returned from the Moon during the Apollo missions in the 1960s and 70s are precious, difficult if not impossible to access for research purposes. So scientists are using regolith simulants to test ideas. Actual regolith may react quite differently than our simulants. We just don’t know.
What’s more, the regolith on the Moon is very different from what’s found on Mars. Martian regolith contains iron oxide –that’s what gives it a reddish color – but Moon regolith is mostly silicates; it’s much finer and more angular. Researchers will need to learn how to use both types in a 3D printer. https://www.youtube.com/embed/J1TWlNWHrsw?wmode=transparent&start=0 See models of otherworldly habitats.
Applications on Earth
NASA’s Moon-to-Mars Planetary Autonomous Construction Technology program, also known as MMPACT, is advancing the technology needed to print these habitats on alien worlds.
Among the approaches scientists are now exploring: a regolith-based concrete made in part from surface ice; melting the regolith at high temperatures, and then using molds to form it while it’s a liquid; and sintering, which means heating the regolith with concentrated sunlight, lasers or microwaves to fuse particles together without the need for binders.
Along those lines, my colleagues and I developed a Martian concrete we call MarsCrete, a material we used to 3D-print a small test structure for NASA in 2017.
Then, in May 2019, using another type of special concrete, we 3D-printed a one-third scale prototype Mars habitat that could support everything astronauts would need for long-term survival, including living, sleeping, research and food-production modules.
That prototype showcased the potential, and the challenges, of building housing on the red planet. But many of these technologies will benefit people on Earth too.
In the same way astronauts will make sustainable products from natural resources, homebuilders could make concretes from binders and aggregates found locally, and maybe even from recycled construction debris. Engineers are already adapting the techniques that could print Martian habitats to address housing shortages here at home. Indeed, 3D-printed homes are already on the market.
Meanwhile, the move continues toward establishing a human presence outside the Earth. Artemis III, now scheduled for liftoff in 2027, will be the first human Moon landing since 1972. A NASA trip to Mars could happen as early as 2035.
But wherever people go, and whenever they get there, I’m certain that 3D printers will be one of the primary tools to let human beings live off alien land.
Sven Bilén, Professor of Engineering Design, Electrical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering, Penn State
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Small Business Month is typically about spotlighting local owners and encouraging communities to shop local. This year, the Reform CIPA Coalition is pairing that celebration with a policy push: modernize the California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA) by passing Senate Bill 690.
The coalition says small businesses are being hit with abusive litigation tied to outdated interpretations of a 1960s law—often over routine website tools used to serve customers.
Why the coalition says reform is urgent
The Reform CIPA Coalition argues that common online tools can become legal tripwires under certain CIPA interpretations, even when businesses are using them in ordinary, customer-facing ways. Examples cited include:
- Website chat features
- Appointment scheduling tools
- Analytics tools used to understand site performance
Supporters say these tools are already addressed under California’s consumer privacy framework, and that predatory lawsuits exploit legal ambiguity rather than genuine privacy harm.
Coalition growth: small businesses and statewide business groups
The coalition says it now includes 146 members, including more than 30 individual small businesses and nearly 40 organizations representing small business interests across California.
Coalition members say the expanding roster reflects a shared concern: legal uncertainty can translate into real costs for local employers and entrepreneurs.
What SB 690 would do
Supporters of SB 690 say the bill would clarify that activities already governed under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) are not grounds for opportunistic CIPA claims—while maintaining strong privacy protections for consumers.
Michael Hedges, President of the California Small Business Association, said an outdated law should not be “weaponized” against businesses using everyday technologies such as chat tools, scheduling, or analytics. He argued that these lawsuits raise costs, discourage investment, and make it harder for small businesses to grow.
The affordability argument: legal costs don’t stay in the courtroom
Coalition leaders also framed the issue as an affordability problem.
Mitchell Vieyra, Executive Vice President of the Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed), said that when small businesses are forced to spend money defending meritless lawsuits, the impact spreads beyond legal fees. Those costs can affect hiring, pricing, and the stability of local communities.
A small business owner’s view
Michelle Leopold, Owner/CMO of Stan’s Ace Hardware, said small businesses are already dealing with rising costs, labor pressures, and economic uncertainty. Being sued over routine website tools—tools used to communicate with customers and stay competitive—adds another burden.
Leopold said reforming CIPA would protect small businesses from abusive litigation while preserving strong privacy protections.
What happens next
As Small Business Month continues, Reform CIPA Coalition members are urging lawmakers to advance SB 690 as a modernization effort: clearer rules for modern digital operations, without rolling back consumer privacy.
For small businesses, supporters say the stakes are straightforward—less ambiguity, fewer opportunistic lawsuits, and more room to invest in service, staffing, and growth.
Source: Reform CIPA (press release distributed via PRNewswire, May 8, 2026).
Related: SB-690 Crimes: invasion of privacy
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Last Updated on May 16, 2026 by Daily News Staff
National Small Business Month
Every May, communities across the United States recognize Small Business Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the entrepreneurs, family-owned companies, startups, and local shops that help drive the American economy. From neighborhood restaurants to innovative tech startups, small businesses continue to play a vital role in creating jobs, supporting communities, and inspiring innovation.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses account for millions of jobs nationwide and represent the backbone of local economies. Throughout May, organizations, chambers of commerce, and business leaders host networking events, educational workshops, and promotional campaigns to support entrepreneurs and encourage consumers to shop locally.
One of the highlights of the month is National Small Business Week, which honors outstanding entrepreneurs and business owners making a difference in their communities.
For consumers, Small Business Month is also a reminder that supporting local businesses helps strengthen neighborhoods and keeps communities thriving. Whether it’s dining at a local café, shopping at an independent store, or hiring a local service provider, every purchase can make an impact.
Learn more about Small Business Month and related events through the official U.S. Small Business Administrationwebsite.
Related External Links
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
- National Small Business Week – SBA
- SCORE – Mentoring and Resources for Small Businesses
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce – Small Business Resources
- Forbes Small Business News and Insights
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News Brief
Earthquake Swarm Shakes Southern California Near Salton Sea
Earthquake Swarm: A swarm of earthquakes near California’s Salton Sea and Brawley area has prompted increased monitoring by seismologists as hundreds of tremors shake the region.
A swarm of earthquakes has been rattling Southern California near the Salton Sea, drawing attention from residents and seismologists across the region.
Salton Sea earthquake swarm?
The activity is centered near Brawley in Imperial County, an area known for frequent seismic movement due to its location within the Brawley Seismic Zone. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, hundreds of small earthquakes have been recorded over the past several days, with the strongest reaching a magnitude of approximately 4.7.
Residents throughout Imperial Valley, parts of Riverside County, and even portions of Arizona reported feeling shaking from several of the larger quakes. Minor incidents such as falling objects and brief power disruptions were also reported, though no major injuries or widespread structural damage have been confirmed at this time.
The region sits near the southern end of the San Andreas Fault and is considered one of California’s most geologically active areas. Scientists say earthquake swarms are relatively common near the Salton Sea because of the interaction between tectonic fault systems and geothermal activity beneath the surface.
While experts continue to monitor the situation closely, they emphasize that earthquake swarms do not necessarily indicate that a larger earthquake is imminent. However, officials encourage residents to review emergency preparedness plans, secure heavy furniture, and keep emergency supplies ready.
The Salton Sea region has experienced similar seismic swarms in the past, making it an important area of study for earthquake researchers and emergency management agencies.
For continued updates on this developing story and other regional news, visit STM Daily News.
Related External Links
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) – Earthquake Monitoring
- California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
- California Earthquake Preparedness Guide
- Ready.gov – Earthquake Safety Tips
- USGS – Salton Trough and Seismic Activity
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