What may still sound like science fiction to some is actually becoming more and more likely in reality: the colonization of another planet. Various projects are actively working on the implementation of ideas that are supposed to bring about the extraterrestrial survival of humans. In the past, we have already reported on 3D printing on the moon, Mars rovers and 3D-printed rockets. But for survival in a place like Mars to be possible at all, creativity is needed to ensure basic human needs are met. If the Robotic Building Lab at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands has its way, however, humans could make themselves comfortable in a sort of anthill on the red planet. Zebro robots are expected to excavate a subterranean living space, using 3D printing as a key force to solidify the walls. But what does the infrastructure need to look like to enable colonization of Mars? Can humans even survive in a different climate?
The fact that humans are able to travel to the moon or Mars in rockets is nothing extraordinary anymore. However, the thought of staying longer in these places or even settling down raises questions in a flash. This is because evolution has not prepared humans for the high levels of ionizing radiation and the sometimes drastic temperature changes that prevail on Mars. For this reason, researchers worldwide are working on the development of solutions that will nevertheless enable survival on extraterrestrial terrain.
Zebro Robots could make it possible for humans to colonize Mars in the future. (Photo Credits: TU Delft)
For the past several years, the Delft University of Technology has been working the development of Zebro robots, which will be able to dig tunnels under the surface of Mars. Zebro robots are nano-rovers that are specially designed for the extraordinary environmental demands on the planet. For example, they have legs that allow them to negotiate uneven surfaces such as rock as they are moving. According to the TU Delft team, the rovers also work autonomously and cooperatively, thus they are classified as swarm robots.
This means that the robots can communicate with each other and divide tasks among themselves. For example, one group of Zebro robots will dig the tunnels while another will implement 3D-printed structures to strengthen the walls. Eventually, living space is to be created in this way, similar to ant structures. There, the sometimes strong temperature changes are less noticeable, which is why the underground living space could be suitable for potential colonization.
According to some experts, this colonization of the red planet by humans is only a matter of time anyway. Henriette Bier, founder and current head of the Robotic Building Laboratory, states that it is particularly important to use resources that are already available on Mars. For the additive manufacturing of the support structures, the Zebro robots will therefore work with cement obtained from local dust and rock. The project team will receive a grant from the European Space Agency (ESA) for the further development of the project. In addition to this project, similar nano rovers from TU Delft, the Lunar Zebro, will be sent on a mission to the moon as early as 2022.
Do you think that extraterrestrial colonizations are realistic? Let us know in a comment below or on our FacebookandTwitterpages. Dont forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter, with all the latest news in 3D printing delivered straight to your inbox!
Go here to see the original:
Zebro Robots to Use 3D Printing to Help Colonize Mars - 3Dnatives
- The Future of Mars colonization - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Richard Branson wants to colonize Mars [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2012]
- Giller Prize nominee Alix Ohlin on writing, and reading [Last Updated On: October 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2012]
- Mars manned mission- Mars Direct plan for Mars colonization (Mirrored) - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- AJ Interviews Sean Calhoun! - Video [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2012]
- Table Talk: Buffalo Wings, Mars Colonization, and Dubstep! - Video [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2013] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2013]
- Mars colonization - Video [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2013] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2013]
- Mars Colonization Habitation Module #1 - Video [Last Updated On: April 13th, 2013] [Originally Added On: April 13th, 2013]
- Chinese Volunteers Register for Mars Colonization Project - Video [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2013] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2013]
- IGN News - Mars Colonization Wants You! - Video [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2013] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2013]
- Tekkit com GWi7 mars colonization #1 - Video [Last Updated On: September 27th, 2013] [Originally Added On: September 27th, 2013]
- Secrets Of The Eisenhower Presidency - From Alien Contact To Mars Colonization - Video [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2013] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2013]
- Private Mars Lander Launching in 2018 Will Build on NASA Legacy [Last Updated On: December 20th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 20th, 2013]
- Mars Colonization Mission Will Happen Live on Reality TV ... [Last Updated On: December 20th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 20th, 2013]
- The Economic Viability of Mars Colonization [Last Updated On: December 20th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 20th, 2013]
- Mars trilogy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: December 20th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 20th, 2013]
- The Case for Colonizing Mars, by Robert Zubrin [Last Updated On: December 20th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 20th, 2013]
- Red Colony - Colonizing and Terraforming Mars [Last Updated On: December 20th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 20th, 2013]
- NASA Quest: Possibility of colonizing Mars [Last Updated On: December 23rd, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 23rd, 2013]
- Why Colonize Mars? - Red Colony [Last Updated On: December 23rd, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 23rd, 2013]
- Colonizing the Planet Mars - Buzzle [Last Updated On: December 24th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 24th, 2013]
- 1,058 called up for tests before one-way trip to Mars [Last Updated On: January 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 3rd, 2014]
- More than 1,000 chosen for one-way Mars reality-TV mission [Last Updated On: January 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 3rd, 2014]
- Mars mission hopefuls whittled down to 1,058, representing 140 countries [Last Updated On: January 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 3rd, 2014]
- Tampa man one step closer to Mars? [Last Updated On: January 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 8th, 2014]
- Volunteers For Mars Colonization Wanted: Apply Today [VIDEO] [Last Updated On: January 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 16th, 2014]
- St. Louisans hope to make mission to Mars [Last Updated On: January 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 19th, 2014]
- NC State student makes the cut for chance to go to Mars [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 21st, 2014]
- Minn. Man Finalist In Mars Colonization Plan [Last Updated On: January 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 23rd, 2014]
- The Dead Planet [Page 3.14] [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2014]
- Human body not ready for life in space [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2014]
- Let's Play Kerbal Space Program - Career Day16 - Mars colonization - Ep25 - NOELonPC - Video [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2014]
- Mars Colony-Scale Rockets 'Could Be Ready In 10 Years ... [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2014]
- MARS COLONY: Chapter One and Two | MARS EXPEDITION [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2014]
- Mars One: Va Beach woman makes first round of cuts for ... [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2014]
- Calgary artist behind illustrations of would-be Mars One habitats [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2014]
- Planetarium Inspires New Cosmonauts [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2014]
- Leading Texan Democratic Senate Candidate Compares Obama to Hitler [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2014]
- Mars Exploration - Video [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2014]
- Packing Of Mars - Video [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2014]
- Kelowna scientist joins NASA funded simulated mission to Mars on Hawaiian mountain [Last Updated On: February 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 27th, 2014]
- What, Exactly, Is Kicking Off Everywhere, Whether in Venezuela, the Ukraine, or Thailand? [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2014]
- How Humans Will Evolve on Multigenerational Space Exploration Missions [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2014]
- Kwame Nkrumah: The one and only founding father of Ghana [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2014]
- Finally! A Trash Collector For Space Junk! [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2014]
- SpaceX prepares to take the biggest step towards affordable space travel: Soft landing the Falcon 9 rocket [Last Updated On: March 13th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 13th, 2014]
- Thinkfactory Media Shopping Mars Exploration Reality Series [Last Updated On: March 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 18th, 2014]
- Colonizing Mars: Just How Far Away Are We? - Space News ... [Last Updated On: March 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 18th, 2014]
- One Minute on Mars - Video [Last Updated On: March 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 23rd, 2014]
- Mars Colonies | Strategy Games | Play Free Games Online at ... [Last Updated On: March 25th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 25th, 2014]
- Mars One building simulated colony to vet potential colonists [Last Updated On: March 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 27th, 2014]
- Planet Mars Colonizing - Video [Last Updated On: March 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 27th, 2014]
- NASA Astronaut on 'Gravity', Mars Colonization & Sex in Space | Interview with Dr. Leroy Chiao - Video [Last Updated On: March 29th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 29th, 2014]
- The Human Heart May Not Be Able to Handle the Trip to Mars [Last Updated On: March 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 31st, 2014]
- Worth the Wait - Extra! - Episode 2 - Video [Last Updated On: April 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 2nd, 2014]
- An Indie Look - Sol 0 - Video [Last Updated On: April 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 3rd, 2014]
- SpaceHabs: One man's architectural vision for colonizing Mars [Last Updated On: April 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2014]
- NASAs new Martian braking system paving way to easier human colonization [Last Updated On: April 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 11th, 2014]
- SpaceX Postpones Launch to Space Station Until Friday [Last Updated On: April 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2014]
- SpaceX postpones launch [Last Updated On: April 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2014]
- Clash mars PH launch of internationally coordinated protests vs Obama Asia trip [Last Updated On: April 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 23rd, 2014]
- Purdue student closer to a trip to Mars [Last Updated On: April 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 23rd, 2014]
- How Sensitive Are Plants To Gravity? [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2014]
- ISS Studies Show Bacteria From Earth Could Colonize Mars [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2014]
- NASA May Put Greenhouse on Mars in 2021 [Last Updated On: May 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2014]
- 54 Canadians still in the running for one-way trip to Mars [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2014]
- NASA hopes to put greenhouse on Mars [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2014]
- NASA Aims To Establish Greenhouse On Mars By 2021; Curiosity Mars Rover Drilled Slab Of Martian Sandstone [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2014]
- Plant Life on Mars? NASA May Send Up Greenhouse in 2021 [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2014]
- A greenhouse on Mars? Scientists propose plant experiment for next rover. [Last Updated On: May 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 8th, 2014]
- Private Mars One Colony Project: 705 Astronaut Candidates Pass Latest Cut [Last Updated On: May 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 8th, 2014]
- Mars Offers Humanity A Do-Over [Last Updated On: May 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 9th, 2014]
- Colonization of Mars - Space Colonization Wiki [Last Updated On: May 12th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 12th, 2014]
- Nova Scotia woman prepared for final frontier [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2014]
- Girlfriend or Red Planet? 'Mars One' hopefuls on hard choice - Video [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2014]
- Mars Colonization By: Alexis & Anna - Video [Last Updated On: May 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 26th, 2014]
- Scientist uncovers red planet's climate history in unique meteorite [Last Updated On: September 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2014]
- Red Planet's Climate History uncovered in Unique Meteorite [Last Updated On: September 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2014]
- Scientist Uncovers Mars' Climate History In Unique Meteorite [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2014]
- If You Had $1 Million [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2014]