Lunar bases with 3D printing and "local" materials: the GLAMS project
Creating semi-permanent human settlements on the Moon is one of the main plans of different space agencies for the near future.
To fulfill this goal the GLAMS project will develop structural elements for the construction of lunar bases, using a 3D printing approach that uses cement binders formulated starting from lunar soils (regoliths), according to the principle of exploitation of raw materials available on site.
The research group, led by Prof. Luca Valentini of the Department of Geosciences of the University of Padua, aims at optimizing the "lunar cement" formulated from regolith, taking into account the specificities of the satellite's environmental conditions, including high temperature excursions, conditions of low gravity and atmospheric pressure, and the impact of micrometeorites.
“The first advantage is that of saving both money and fuel for the transport of the raw material from the Earth to the Moon. And the second advantage is because this kind of binder is more sustainable in terms of reduced CO2 emissions with respect to Portland cement”, Prof. Luca Valentini says.