Project Olympus is NASA's vision for homes on Moon by 2040

The bold plan is called Project Olympus. It might look too good to be true, but the scientists the Times spoke with said it’s currently on track.

Whether it's part of NASA’s Lunar Surface Innovation Initiative (LSII) is not sure. LSII works across industry, academia, non-profits, and other government agencies to catalyze technology development that will enable robotic and human exploration of the Moon and future operations on Mars.

NASA's plan involves sending a 3-D printer to the Moon and utilizing specialized lunar concrete derived from lunar rock chips, mineral fragments, and dust on the lunar surface to build structures layer by layer. Technological advancements and collaborations with universities and private companies have made this ambitious plan possible.

NASA's director of technology maturation, Niki Werkheiser, expressed, "We're at a pivotal moment, and in some ways, it feels like a dream sequence. In other ways, it feels like it was inevitable that we would get here." She emphasized NASA's openness to partnering with academics and industry leaders, expanding the possibilities for lunar construction.

One major challenge in establishing a lunar presence is the abrasive lunar dust, which can be toxic when inhaled. However, this challenge has led to innovative solutions. Raymond Clinton Jr., senior technical adviser at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, proposed using lunar soil as a construction material. He believes that just as homes on Earth can be 3-D printed from local soil, lunar homes can be printed using moon soil, allowing for construction in the harsh lunar environment.

NASA's return to the Moon, known as the Artemis program, marks a significant milestone. The program includes multiple missions, with Artemis II scheduled for November 2024, carrying the first woman and the first person of color in history around the Moon. Artemis III planned for one year later, will see humans land on the lunar surface, with more crewed missions planned by the end of the decade.

Partnership with ICON for 3D printing homes

NASA has partnered with ICON, an Austin-based construction technology company, to achieve its 2040 lunar housing goal. The company started collaborating with NASA in 2020 and received a substantial $57 million funding boost in 2022 for developing construction systems that utilize the Moon and Mars resources as construction materials.

Their approach involves utilizing the dust, rocks, and mineral fragments found on the lunar surface to create a concrete-like substance, which will be the primary building material for homes and other structures. This innovation aims to reduce vulnerability to the sharp and toxic lunar dust on the Moon's surface.

However, the primary challenge lies not in materials but in physics. ICON's 3-D printer is scheduled for testing at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in February, evaluating its performance under vacuum conditions and radiation levels in space. Even if the tests prove successful, a lunar landing pad must be constructed before these printers can be deployed on the Moon.

The challenges of construction in space are unique due to the need to travel light and avoid carrying materials from Earth. Patrick Suermann, interim dean of the School of Architecture at Texas A&M University, emphasized the importance of utilizing lunar resources rather than transporting materials from Earth.

As NASA progresses toward lunar habitat construction, they are also working on space furniture and interior design prototypes in collaboration with universities and private companies. This comprehensive approach aims to create a sustainable human presence on the Moon.

While the market value of lunar homes remains uncertain, the Moon holds untapped resources that may become valuable. The international community is aligning to ensure peaceful and cooperative lunar exploration through agreements like the Artemis Accords.

Lunar endeavors and the success of Artemis

NASA's lunar endeavors are not the final frontier but a stepping stone to the grander goal of reaching Mars. The Moon is seen as a practical layover, with the potential to convert lunar water into rocket fuel for Mars missions. With these ambitious plans, NASA is pushing the boundaries of space exploration, ushering in a new era of human presence beyond Earth.

In preparation for future Mars missions, volunteers live in a 3-D printed structure, simulating conditions on Mars. This marks another significant step in NASA's journey toward exploring the red planet.

The dreams of establishing a lunar presence and eventually venturing to Mars are no longer confined to science fiction; they are becoming a tangible reality through NASA's determined efforts and collaborations.

Before these ambitious plans can come to fruition, NASA must first achieve its goal of sending astronauts back to the Moon. If everything proceeds as planned, the Artemis II mission is set to dispatch astronauts into lunar orbit by 2024. Subsequently, the Artemis III mission, potentially in 2025 or 2026, will execute a landing on the lunar South Pole with the support of SpaceX's Starship, marking a significant milestone in lunar exploration.

You can read the full report here.