How to Build for Human Life on Mars | Melodie Yashar | TED

TL;DR

In this content, the speaker discusses the design and construction of habitats on Mars using autonomous robotics and 3D printing.

Transcript

Let's imagine together we've gone on an eight-month journey and arrived to the planet Mars. Yes, Mars. Somehow we'll have to figure out how to build protective and durable structures to shield us against solar radiation, galactic cosmic rays and extreme temperatures swings. On a Mars mission, there's only so much that we can bring with us from Eart... Read More

Key Insights

• 🎯 The use of autonomous robotics, including 3D printers, can enable the construction of protective habitats on Mars before the arrival of the crew, reducing the need for materials to be brought from Earth.
• 🌍 In order to create habitable environments on Mars, habitats must be airtight and able to withstand internal pressurization, while also incorporating elements such as natural light and greenery to positively contribute to crew well-being.
• 🤖 The robots deployed on Mars will need to perceive and interpret the complexity of the construction site, performing tasks such as prospecting, collecting raw materials, processing them, and maneuvering them for construction.
• 🏢 Various structures, including hard-shell or inflatable structures, may not provide the necessary radiation protection on Mars, and living underground in lava tubes limits direct surface exploration.
• 🌐 The Moon serves as a testbed and proving ground for technologies such as 3D printing, which will be used to establish a permanent human presence and further advance capabilities for Mars missions.
• ️ Communications delays between Mars and Earth make it necessary to rely on autonomous robotics rather than real-time telerobotics controlled by people on Earth to supervise construction or exploration activities on Mars.
• 💡 Designing for extreme environments in space can lead to innovative solutions for problems on Earth, such as housing solutions for the homeless, disaster relief housing, and sustainable practices in construction.
• 🚀 The exploration and venture into deep space represents a new frontier for human exploration, and the development of a permanent Moon base and autonomous construction on Mars will lead to radical transformations in how we build on Earth.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the challenges of building structures on Mars?

The challenges of building structures on Mars include protecting against solar radiation, galactic cosmic rays, and extreme temperature swings. It is expensive to transport construction materials from Earth, making it necessary to find and use local resources, such as regolith and water, combined with additives from Earth to create durable construction materials.

Q: How can autonomous robotics be used to build habitats on Mars?

Autonomous robotics, including 3D printers and construction robots, can be sent to Mars to build habitats before the arrival of the crew. These robots will need to perceive and interpret the complexity of the construction site, perform tasks like prospecting, collecting raw materials, and maneuvering them. The structures will be manufactured layer by layer using a combination of local resources and materials brought from Earth.

Q: What design factors are important for habitats on Mars?

The goal of designing habitats on Mars is to create airtight structures that can withstand internal pressurization, allowing for a breathable and temperate environment on the inside. In addition to optimal crew health and performance, practical architectural elements such as access to natural light through windows and greenery are considered to contribute to positive psychological functioning and well-being.

Q: How can 3D printing be tested and advanced for building in space?

To advance the viability of 3D printing for building in space, experiments can be conducted on Earth to demonstrate that 3D-printed structures can support people in mission-like environments. For example, the Mars Dune Alpha habitat, a 3D-printed analog habitat at the Johnson Space Center, will simulate a one-year mission to Mars. Data from these experiments can help set standards and requirements for future Mars missions, contributing to the advancement of 3D printing technology.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker is a space architect who designs habitats for human exploration in deep space, such as on Mars.

• Autonomous robotics, including 3D printers, will be used to build protective and durable structures on Mars before crew arrival.

• The development of construction technologies for space can also have applications on Earth, such as for solving housing and sustainability challenges.