Bradley University and Caterpillar are teaming up with NASA for what’s being called the 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge. The goal is for teams to develop technologies to build a habitat on Mars using 3D printing.
Provost Walter Zakahi says innovation, collaboration and experiential learning are core values of Bradley University and are also the heart of this program.
“I hope that we get to Mars. But what if we never get to Mars? It doesn’t mean the effort around this has been wasted. Because I think this becomes a very important piece of how we build buildings for now and for the future.”
Bechtel, and Brick and Mortar Ventures, are also participating in the challenge. The challenge has three phases, the first was complete last month. The second phase opened this month, it is the structural competition.
Applications are being accepted now with the competition taking place at Caterpillar Edwards Proving Ground in August next year.
Bradley is facilitating the event, so the University’s students are not eligible. The third phase of the competition takes place in fall 2018.