Nasa announces winners of challenge to design 3D-printed Mars shelters

Shelters suitable for life on Mars, the moon and possibly beyond came a step closer, as Nasa awarded $100,000 (£77,000) to three teams of competitors or the organisation’s centennial challenge.

In total, 11 teams competed in the latest stage of the 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge, which asked designers to create sustainable shelters using resources which would be available on-site in far-flung space locations.

Teams have been competing in the multi-stage test since 2015, across three phases, the third of which has five levels to challenge participants’ 3D printing skills.

For the latest stage designers were asked to create a full-scale 3D habitat design.

First prize in the latest round was awarded to SEArch+ and Apis Cor, a team from New York, which focused on a design to “provide radiation shielding and physical protection”, according to Nasa.

Zopherus, a team from Arkansas, won second place with a design which would be constructed with an autonomous roving 3D printer.

Team Mars Incubator, a collection of engineers and artists, came third.

Each group produced videos providing insight into their designs and miniature 3D printed models which came apart to showcase the interiors.

A panel of judges awarded points for architectural layout, programming, efficient use of interior space, and the 3D-printing scalability and constructability of the habitat.

Points were also awarded for realism and aesthetic representation.

Each team was awarded between $32,000 (£24,500) and $34,000 (£26,000) for their efforts.

The challenge will end on 1-4 May 2019, at a head to head event in which two teams will print their structures at a location in Peoria, Illinois.

Nasa will award $800,000 at the event.

The organisation said its centennial competition would aid human space exploration and could lead to lower-cost housing on Earth.