regolith 3D printing: with the colonization of mars apparently imminent, it seems a few logistical issues need ironing out. one hurdle is shipping everything colonists need from earth – that’s how NASA handled lunar landings in the 60s and 70s. with improved technology this might not be necessary. researchers at the european space agency (ESA) have created fake moon dust (called ‘regolith’ in technical terms) and used it to 3D print small screws and gears.

according to a statement from the ESA, this material can be used as a kind of lunar ceramic. ‘ground and sieved down to particle size, the regolith grains are mixed with a light-reacting binding agent, laid down layer-by-layer, then hardened by exposing them to light. the resulting printed part is then sintered in an oven to bake it solid.’

3D-printing regolith to create small screws, bolts and other parts,

image courtesy of ESA