Foster + Partners has announced plans for a 3D-printed solar tower to be constructed on the moon. The 50-meter structure is designed to collect solar energy at the Moon’s South Pole to power future lunar infrastructure. NASA and 3D-printing company Branch Technology are partnering on this project, which aims to create a sustainable energy source for lunar bases.
The tower will feature a spiral-shaped design with fold-out solar panels that will extend from the top platform. These panels will capture solar energy to support power and communication systems needed for lunar missions. The design builds on Foster + Partners’ previous work developing 3D-printed habitable structures for space environments.
“The science fiction fantasies and inspirations of my youth are the project realities of today,” said Norman Foster, the firm’s founder. He noted that designing for space “revolutionises how we build and live in harsh climates.”
A key feature of the tower is its optimization for autonomous construction, addressing the challenges of building in environments where human presence is limited. The design utilizes additive manufacturing techniques that can incorporate lunar regolith – the Moon’s surface material of dust and rocks – as building material. This approach reduces the need to transport construction materials from Earth.
A scale model of the solar tower is currently on display at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC as part of Foster + Partners’ “From Earth to Space and Back” exhibition. The project aligns with NASA’s preparations for returning humans to the Moon and establishing sustainable lunar habitats.
Source: thesun.co.uk