Apr 2, 2019 | By Thomas
NASA has announced three finalists in an ongoing design competition, the latest stage of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA’s) 3D-printed Habitat Challenge.
Finalists were awarded a share of the $100,000 prize purse and include SEArch+/Apis Cor, out of New York who took first place, Zopherus from Rogers, Arkansas who came in second, and Mars Incubator out of New Have Connecticut who took the third spot.
SEArch+/Apis Cor won the top place as well as $33,954.11. Using resources available on-site in these locations, SEArch+/Apis Cor proposed the MARS X HOUSE, offering a robust, durable 3D-printed habitat using autonomous robotics. The unique shape of their habitat allows for continuous reinforcement of the structure. Light enters through trough-shaped ports on the sides and top.
« Winning this latest phase of NASA’s Habitat Challenge is an incredible honor for all of us at SEArch+, » said Melodie Yashar, Co-Founder of SEArch+. « We’re thrilled and humbled by the support from NASA and congratulate the other winning teams in our shared efforts to create human-centered design concepts for Mars and beyond. »
Team Zopherus won the second place and $33,422.01. The team Zoperhous suggested that their modular structures could be printed by an autonomous rover that prints a structure and then moves on to the next site.
The virtual design from team Mars Incubator won the third place and $32,623.88. The group showed a modular design consisting of four distinct spaces, including one for growing plants.
The challenge, which began in 2015, has seen teams competing to design shelters suitable for the Moon, Mars and — optimistically — beyond. For the fourth level of the third phase of the competition, eleven team entries were scored and the three contestants were scored based on ‘architectural layout, programming, efficient use of interior space, and the 3D-printing scalability and constructability of the habitat.’
As per the NASA, the teams will go on to compete in a showdown with a prize pool of $800,000. The final competition phase will take place in early May. After evaluation by a panel of judges, NASA and challenge partner Bradley University of Peoria, Illinois, decided the winners.
Posted in 3D Printing Application
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