Lunar Base by Foster + Partners
In this artist's rendering, a 3D printing robot pours layer after layer of hardened lunar dirt and dust onto an inflatable dome shell, 3D printing a lunar base.
Lunar Base With Linked Domes
The possible lunar base designed by Foster + Partners would have room enough for four moon residents at a time.
Lunar Base With Earthrise
An artist's illustration of what a base on the moon might look like. The European Space Agency is investigating the possibility of 3D printing lunar habitats.
Monolite D-Shape Printer for ESA's Lunar Base
ESA and partners used this 3D printer to print a piece of the possible lunar home.
NASA Chief: Moon Base Must Precede Mars Mission
Spacesuit engineer Dustin Gohmert simulates work in a crater of Johnson Space Center's Lunar Yard, while his ride, NASA's new lunar truck prototype, stands ready in the background. The rover has the ability to lower itself all the way to the ground, making climbing on and off easy -- even in a bulky spacesuit.
Private Moon Bases Planned
Space entrepreneur Robert Bigelow (left) discusses layout plans of the company's lunar base with Eric Haakonstad, one of the Bigelow Aerospace lead engineers.
Instant Moonbases
Bigelow Aerospace engineers see an instant moon base by using a cluster of expandable modules that are piloted to the moon's surface.
Lunar Observatories: Grand Plans vs. Clear Problems
This illustration shows in-space robots assembling a large structure.
Lunar Extraction Minerals Ice Moon Base
Pit stop, the moon! Lunar extraction of minerals and ice are envisioned as near-term objectives for space mining advocates.
Tackling Moondust for Future Lunar Living
An artist's illustration of NASA's Altair Lander on the moon, which formed part of the now-cancelled Constellation program for lunar exploration.
Mosaic of the Lunar South Pole
The European Space Agency and a consortium of industry professionals investigated the feasibility of using 3D printing to build a lunar base.