Science fiction writers are starting to run out of ideas these days. A once popular fantasy to ponder upon may soon become a reality. At the moment, NASA is working to have a manned mission to Mars by 2030. As the closest destination to Earth, perhaps this will initiate the beginning of long-term colonization.
3D PRINTING WILL MAKE HOUSES ON MARS
While others in the tech industry are still firmly grounded on Earth, some are already looking to Mars as the next frontier for their startups. RedWorks is one of these and they are working to develop a 3-D printing system that will use Martian soil to build roads, buildings, and other human sustaining architecture. RedWorks founder, Keegan Kirkpatrick is spearheading this vision as other companies focus on launching humans and satellites into space. While that is certainly important, it never hurts to think a few steps ahead like Kirkpatrick.
USING DIRT TO SETTLE ON THE RED PLANET
Kirkpatrick’s idea for RedWorks originally came from a NASA challenge . In it, they challenged people to design a habitat for deep space exploration using 3D printing. Kirkpatrick didn’t win the competition, but the opportunity led him to create his dream team of experts and RedWorks was born. The 3-D printing system they created themselves uses only a power source and dirt. While the power source will be a challenge, the one thing that Mars certainly has plenty of is dirt. With that logic, virtually any kind of infrastructure is possible. With the help of a crucible, this dirt will be heated up by a printer then turned into a form of concrete. This cooled down result will be the main ingredient in a Martian habitat.
BEYOND HOUSES
Having houses on the martian surface is, of course, a vital aspect of colonizing it. However, these houses will be useless without a source of food. Thankfully, Kirkpatrick is yet again, thinking ahead. The first colony on Mars would use a system that takes waste produced by fish in order to grow plants. The plants then purify the water creating a harmonious loop of life. It’s hardly the luxury that we are used to on Earth but considering we are even discussing the possibility of life on Mars is simply miraculous. RedWorks and the idea of colonization are still in the very early stages of thought but its comforting to know that someone out there is so committed to the future state of humanity.
