The development of a sustainable presence in space, particularly on the moon or Mars, requires extensive infrastructure, such as power and communication networks. This is understood by the British architecture firm Foster + Partners, which, in collaboration with NASA and the US company Branch Technology, has developed a 50-meter-high solar tower that is to be built on the surface of the moon using 3D printing. Foster + Partners is also part of a consortium founded by the European Space Agency (ESA), which is researching the possibilities of 3D printing for the construction of lunar dwellings. Branch Technology, on the other hand, is a company specializing in 3D printing that develops 3D printing systems that are also suitable for applications on the moon.
Developed as part of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program awarded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the solar tower is currently in the development phase and can be viewed in the “From Earth to Space and Back” exhibition at the Kennedy Center until April 13, 2025. Featuring scale models, 3D-printed structures and films, the exhibition invites viewers to imagine a future on Mars or the moon.
The design resembles a signpost and is 50 meters long in total. The fold-out solar panels are used to generate energy.
The aim of the 3D-printed solar tower is to supply future moon bases with energy and perform communication tasks. It will also serve as a permanent energy source for scientific missions and settlements on the moon. Foster + Partners also emphasizes that the solar tower is part of a larger vision for lunar infrastructure. This also includes habitable, 3D-printed structures, which the company has already presented in the past.
But what exactly makes the project so special? The 3D-printed solar tower is based on a spiral-shaped, 3D-printed structure with fold-out solar panels. These panels unfold from the top platform of the tower and are intended to be used for energy production. In addition, the structure was designed to be built autonomously – a particularly important aspect for extraterrestrial infrastructure projects where human presence is not always possible.
But additive manufacturing also offers numerous advantages for this project. For one, the material can be produced directly using regolith, or lunar dust and rocks. This significantly reduces transportation costs and the need for resources from the earth.
Norman Foster, founder and CEO of Foster + Partners, explained, “The science fiction fantasies and inspirations of my youth are the project realities of today. Designing for space is about pushing the boundaries of innovation. The challenges we face in creating sustainable habitats on the Moon or Mars have inspired groundbreaking solutions for zero waste and zero emissions buildings on Earth. The technologies and materials developed for space exploration can revolutionize how we build and live in harsh climates, making our planet more resilient and sustainable.”
The concepts of the 3D-printed settlements for the moon and Mars, which are built like capsules, can also be viewed at the exhibition in the Kennedy Center
The coming years will show how 3D printing technology will be implemented on the moon. The 3D printed solar tower by NASA, Foster + Partners and Branch Technology offers a glimpse of future life on Mars, where energy supply is of central importance. How future life could be shaped is also made clear to visitors. The exhibition at the Kennedy Center makes it more tangible for visitors and we remain excited to see what the partnership will produce.
Irene Gallou, Senior Partner at Foster + Partners, concludes, “For over a decade, we have been working with the latest technologies – and industry-leading collaborators – to design extra-terrestrial habitats and explore opportunities for life in space. The Kennedy Center festival is an incredible occasion to showcase this work, which has the potential to transform the way we live. We hope that visitors will be inspired to think creatively and consider new possibilities for an alternative future.”
You can find out more about the Foster + Partners exhibition HERE and if you are interested in the lunar colonization project, you can click HERE. If you want to see how the tower’s solar panels unfold, don’t miss this video below:
What do you think of the project and the 3D-printed solar tower? What do you think of this 3D-printed skin? Let us know in a comment below or on our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here, the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox! You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel. You can also find more news in the aerospace and defense sector HERE.
*All Photo Credits: Moos & Fog