--- title: "Russia is Planning to 3D Print a Moon Base" description: "Russian space agency Roscosmos has confirmed that it’s planning to 3D print a structure meant to protect astronauts from the harsh environment on the surface of the Moon. The plan is to use on-site material such as lunar regolith, the rocky material that covers the lunar surface. A Roscosmos spokesperson told Russian news agency TASS […]" date: "2019-07-10" modified: "2019-07-10" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/russia-planning-3d-print-moon-base" categories: - "Astronomy" - "Moon" - "Space" tags: - "3d printing" - "deep space habitat" - "lunar habitat" - "the digest" --- # Russia is Planning to 3D Print a Moon Base ![Russia space agency Roscosmos confirmed that it's planning to 3D print structures on the moon to protect astronauts from the harsh environment by 2040.]() *\Image: Shutterstock/Victor Tangermann\* ## Printing Shelter Russian space agency Roscosmos has [confirmed that]() it's planning to 3D print structures on the surface of the Moon. The plan is to use on-site material such as lunar regolith, the rocky material that covers the Moon's surface. A Roscosmos spokesperson told Russian news agency TASS that Russia's moon program will see "the launch of construction of large-scale structures with the use of additive technologies and local resources." The idea is not only to construct structures meant for astronauts. The Moon program is also looking at ways to furnish "scientific and industrial objects with equipment." Russia [announced plans]() last year to establish a Moon colony by the year 2040. The country's moon program consists of three stages: first, a module will orbit the moon, then Russia's first manned mission will descend to the lunar surface. Constructing the moon base is stage three. ## 3D Printing Challenge Russia's space agency isn't the only group interested in the technology. NASA launched its [3D-Printed Habitat Challenge]() back in 2015, which challenged teams to design, test, and [even 3D print]() models of deep space exploration habitats over the last four years. The European Space Agency has also expressed interest in 3D-printing using in-situ materials. A team of scientists managed to [3D print small ceramic parts]() and tools using a regolith simulant. **READ MORE:** [ROSCOSMOS CONFIRMS PLANS TO 3D PRINT LUNAR SHELTERS FROM MOON DUST]() \[*3D Printing Industry*\] **More on 3D printing:***[Scientists Are 3D Printing Fake Moon Dust Into Useful Objects]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()