![](\"http:\/\/www.esa.int\/var\/esa\/storage\/images\/esa_multimedia\/images\/2015\/04\/lunar_building_block_at_hypervital\/15353115-1-eng-GB\/Lunar_building_block_at_Hypervital_small.jpg\")
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\nThis 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.\n<\/p>\n
\nThis 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 \u2013 combining strength with low weight, in the same way as bird bones.\n<\/p>\n
\nThe block was produced as part of a larger ESA feasibility project, investigating 3D printing in the lunar environment<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n \nHypervital<\/a> is open for visitors for the next six months.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \t\t\t\t\t \nThis 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.\n<\/p>\n \nThis 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 \u2013 combining strength with low weight, in the same way as bird bones.\n<\/p>\n \nThe block was produced as part of a larger ESA feasibility project, investigating 3D printing in the lunar environment<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n