Austin-based Icon is developing a laser system that would melt the moon's soil to build structures layer by layer — melting one section of soil, adding more soil on top and then repeating the process.
Icon was founded in 2017 with the hopes that 3D-printed homes, made with advanced robotics, software and a special cement-based material, could combat the global housing crisis by delivering homes faster and more affordably. Its current projects include a 100-home community outside of Austin and barracks for the US Army at Fort Bliss in El Paso.
This would be followed by a larger technology demonstration and, ultimately, infrastructure on the moon. "We're going to be using multiple construction methods just for the sake of redundancy and for diversity in our approach," Yashar said."Terrestrially, we have multiple ways of approaching construction of a certain house or type of building. I think in space, it's going to be largely the same. We'll have different methods for different applications, and we'll use the best tool for the job.