3D 프린터로 달기지 건설을? 3D-printed moonbase? No problem for our robots, says European Space Agency VIDEO
3D-printed moonbase?
No problem for our robots, says European Space Agency
3D 프린터로 달기지 건설을?
유럽우주기구(ESA)는 전혀 문제없다고 말한다
유럽우주기구가 달의 기지건설을 실현할 계획을 4분 분량의 그래픽 동영상으로 공개했다.
3D 프린터 로봇을 실은 우주선은 달 남극 부근에 착륙해 미리 준비해 간 돔 형태의 작은 구조물을 설치한다.
3D 프린터 로봇은 달의 토양과 암석 등을 채취한 뒤 운석 등으로부터 기지를 보호할 수 있는 건설 자재를 출력해 구조물 전체를 덮는다.
기존의 3D 프린터에 흙을 퍼올리는 구조물과 로봇 팔 등을 추가로 설치해 달 기지 건설 맞춤형으로 개발한 로봇이다.
유럽우주기구는 네 명이 머물 수 있는 기지 건설에 석 달 정도가 걸릴 것으로 예상했다.
이 계획이 과거 연구와 가장 다른 점은 건설 재료를 현지에서 조달한다는 것이다.
지구에서 38만 킬로미터 떨어진 달에 재료를 가져가는 기존의 구상들은 천문학적인 비용 때문에 현실성이 떨어졌다.
유럽우주기구(ESA)는 새로운 달 기지 건설계획이 40년 뒤 실현 가능할 것으로 내다봤다. <SBS>
[Editor kcontents]
The European Space Agency (ESA) has proven that its project to 3D-print a base on the Moon is possible. In a latest video the agency shows how 3D-printing robots may be used to build the base using lunar material.
The ESA started investigation of the lunar base possibility in 2013, working alongside its industrial and architectural partners. The creation of the reliable semi-spherical structures on the surface of the moon could be fulfilled within the next 40 years, and 90 percent of the materials needed would be derived from the moon itself.
The latest details of the new concept, which is, however, still "firmly on the drawing board," were discussed at a conference this week at ESA's technical center in Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
"3D printing offers a potential means of facilitating lunar settlement with reduced logistics from Earth," Scott Hovland, of ESA's human spaceflight team, said in a statement.
"The new possibilities this work opens up can then be considered by international space agencies as part of the current development of a common exploration strategy," he said.
As planned, the location of the settlement would be at the "peak of eternal light" – that is, along the rim of the Shackleton Crater on the south pole of the moon. This location was also chosen previously by NASA for its intended human settlement base, as it would mean near-constant solar power.
The structure of a living pod would be formed by the habitation capsule and a dome, which would be covered by a protective shell made of lunar dust “cement” by two 3D-printing robots. It will be vital to protect people – up to four astronauts would become the first moon settlers – from radiation, meteoroids and temperature jumps – functions that on Earth are carried out by the atmosphere.
The moonbase plans are by no means the first attempt to apply 3D-printing to space technologies. This September, the International Space Station welcomed a high-tech 3D printer, aimed at creating tools and supplies for astronauts.
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