This building block of a future Moon base, 3D-printed from simulated lunar material, is now on show at the Hypervital exhibition, part of the International Design Biennale in Saint-Etienne, France.
This 1.5 tonne building block was produced as a demonstration of 3D printing techniques using lunar soil. The design is based on a hollow closed-cell structure – combining strength with low weight, in the same way as bird bones.
The block was produced as part of a larger ESA feasibility project, investigating 3D printing in the lunar environment.
Hypervital is open for visitors for the next six months.