Faxing Structures to the Moon: Freeform Additive Construction System (FACS)
Abstract
Using the highly articulated All-Terrain Hex-Limbed Extra-Terrestrial Explorer (ATHLETE) robotic mobility system as a precision positioning tool, a variety of print head technologies can be used to 3D print large-scale in-situ structures on planetary surfaces such as the moon or Mars. In effect, in the same way CAD models can be printed in a 3D printer, large-scale structures such as walls, vaults, domes, berms, paving, trench walls, and other insitu derived elements can be FAXed to the planetary surface and built in advance of the arrival of crews, supplementing equipment and materials brought from earth. This paper discusses the ATHLETE system as a mobility / positioning platform, and presents several options for large-scale additive print head technologies, including tunable microwave sinterator approaches and in-situ concrete deposition. The paper also discusses potential applications, such as sintered-in-place habitat shells, radiation shielding, road paving, modular bricks, and prefabricated construction components.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
The researchers determined optimal operating parameters for large-scale manufacturing using microwave sintering.
“The researchers understood how to control the sintering and melting of the target material subjected to microwave radiation and determined optimal operating parameters for large-scale manufacturing.”
From A comprehensive review of lunar-based manufacturing and construction (2024) · cites this paper as [168]
NASA researchers developed a 3D microwave print head facility using a 2.45 GHz wave generator to explore the feasibility of additive manufacturing using Lunar and Martian simulants.
“NASA researchers in [167,168] developed a 3D microwave print head facility using a 2.45 GHz wave generator to explore the feasibility of additive manufacturing using Lunar and Martian simulants.”
From A comprehensive review of lunar-based manufacturing and construction (2024) · cites this paper as [168]
Cites
Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia
Remy, M. (2002) · Reference Reviews · doi:10.1108/rr.2002.16.6.5.273 · Cited by 2,343 · see citing works
Athlete: A cargo handling and manipulation robot for the moon
Wilcox, B., Litwin, T. E., Biesiadecki, J. J., Matthews, J., Heverly, M., Morrison, J. C., Townsend, J. A., Ahmad, N., Sirota, A., & Cooper, B. K. (2007) · Journal of Field Robotics · doi:10.1002/rob.20193 · Cited by 298 · see citing works
Self-citationLunar Contour Crafting - A Novel Technique for ISRU-Based Habitat Development
Khoshnevis, B., Bodiford, M., Burks, K., Ethridge, E., Tucker, D., Kim, W., Toutanji, H., & Fiske, M. (2005) · 43rd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit · doi:10.2514/6.2005-538 · Cited by 138 · see citing works
Out of This World: The New Field of Space Architecture
(2009) · American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics eBooks · doi:10.2514/4.479878 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
ATHLETE: A limbed vehicle for solar system exploration
Wilcox, B. (2012) · Proceedings - IEEE Aerospace Conference · doi:10.1109/aero.2012.6187269 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Self-citationRousek, T., Eriksson, K., & Doule, O. (2012) · Acta Astronautica · doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2011.10.009 · Cited by 54 · see citing works
Trade Study of Excavation Tools and Equipment for Lunar Outpost Development and ISRU
Mueller, R. P., King, R. H., & El‐Genk, M. S. (2008) · AIP conference proceedings · doi:10.1063/1.2844973 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
ATHLETE: A cargo and habitat transporter for the moon
Wilcox, B. (2009) · Proceedings - IEEE Aerospace Conference · doi:10.1109/aero.2009.4839568 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
Self-citationDevelopment of the Tri-ATHLETE Lunar Vehicle Prototype
Heverly, M., Matthews, J., Frost, M., & McQuin, C. J. C. (2010) · NASA Technical Reports Server (NASA) · Cited by 35 · see citing works
Self-citationProduction of lunar concrete using molten sulfur
Omar, H. A. (1994) · NASA Technical Reports Server (NASA) · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Habitats and Surface Construction Technology and Development Roadmap
Cohen, M. M., & Kennedy, K. J. (1997) · NASA Technical Reports Server (NASA) · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Regolith Stabilization and Building Materials for the Lunar Surface
Gosau, J. (2012) · ASCE International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments (Earth and Space) · doi:10.1061/9780784412190.028 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Mechanics of Materials in Lunar Base Design
Smith, A. (1993) · Applied Mechanics Reviews · doi:10.1115/1.3120354 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Microwave Heating Studies and Instrumentation for Processing Lunar Regolith and Simulants
Barmatz, M. B., Steinfeld, D. E., Winterhalter, D., Rickman, D. L., & Weinstein, M. (2013) · Lunar and Planetary Science Conference · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Self-citationSolar Thermal System for Lunar ISRU Applications: Development and Field Operation at Mauna Kea, HI
Nakamura, T., & Smith, B. (2011) · AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting · doi:10.2514/6.2011-433 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
The possibility of concrete production on the Moon
Ishikawa, N., Kanamori, H., & Okada, T. (1992) · NASA Technical Reports Server (NASA) · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Hydration Reaction and Strength Development of Lunar Concrete Under Vacuum Condition
Hatanaka, N., & Ishida, T. (2004) · SAE technical papers on CD-ROM/SAE technical paper series · doi:10.4271/2004-01-2270 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
ISRU Based Lunar Surface Habitat Module
Varga, T., Kabai, S., Bérczi, S., Szilágyi, I. M., & Varga, T. N. (2013) · Lunar and Planetary Science Conference · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Vibration Method for Tracking the Resonant Mode and Impedance of a Microwave Cavity
Barmatz, M. B., Iny, O., Yiin, T., & Khan, I. (1995) · Ceramic transactions /Ceramic transactions · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Self-citationThe Challenge of Space Infrastructure Construction
Howe, A. S., & Colombano, S. P. (2010) · AIAA SPACE Conference & Exposition · doi:10.2514/6.2010-8619 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Driving ATHLETE: Analysis of Operational Efficiency
Townsend, J. A., & Mittman, D. S. (2012) · AIAA SPACE Conference & Exposition · doi:10.2514/6.2012-5116 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Self-citationATHLETE Mobility: Active Terrain Compliance Implementation and Performance
Townsend, J. A., Biesiadecki, J. J., & Collins, C. L. (2009) · AIAA SPACE Conference & Exposition · doi:10.2514/6.2009-6465 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Self-citation
Flagged first, then by citations
1 of the 23 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Robotic technologies for on-site building construction: A systematic review
Gharbia, M., Chang-Richards, A. Y., Lu, Y., Zhong, R. Y., & Li, H. (2020) · Journal of Building Engineering · doi:10.1016/j.jobe.2020.101584 · Cited by 233 · see citing works
Isachenkov, M., Chugunov, S., Akhatov, I., & Shishkovsky, I. (2021) · Acta Astronautica · doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2021.01.005 · Cited by 199 · see citing works
Additive manufacturing of cementitious composites: Materials, methods, potentials, and challenges
Hamidi, F., & Aslani, F. (2019) · Construction and Building Materials · doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.05.140 · Cited by 192 · see citing works
A systematic review and analysis of the viability of 3D-printed construction in remote environments
Schuldt, S., Jagoda, J. A., Hoisington, A. J., & Delorit, J. D. (2021) · Automation in Construction · doi:10.1016/j.autcon.2021.103642 · Cited by 171 · see citing works
Extra-terrestrial construction processes – Advancements, opportunities and challenges
Lim, S., Prabhu, V. L., Anand, M., & Taylor, L. A. (2017) · Advances in Space Research · doi:10.1016/j.asr.2017.06.038 · Cited by 134 · see citing works
In-situ construction method for lunar habitation: Chinese Super Mason
Zhou, C., Chen, R., Xu, J., Ding, L., Luo, H., Fan, J., Chen, E. J., Cai, L., & Bin, T. (2019) · Automation in Construction · doi:10.1016/j.autcon.2019.03.024 · Cited by 98 · see citing works
Large-scale robotic extrusion-based additive manufacturing with living mycelium materials
Elsacker, E. V., Peeters, E., & Laêt, L. D. (2022) · Sustainable Futures · doi:10.1016/j.sftr.2022.100085 · Cited by 72 · see citing works
Leveraging in situ resources for lunar base construction
Ellery, A. (2022) · Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering · doi:10.1139/cjce-2021-0098 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
Automated Additive Construction (AAC) for Earth and Space Using In Situ Resources
Mueller, R. P., Howe, S. A., Kochmann, D. M., Ali, H., Andersen, C., Burgoyne, H. A., Chambers, W., Clinton, R. G., Kestelier, X. D., Ebelt, K., et al. (2016) · ASCE International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments (Earth and Space) · doi:10.1061/9780784479971.036 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
Self-citationA comprehensive review of lunar-based manufacturing and construction
Azami, M., Kazemi, Z., Moazen, S., Dubé, M., Potvin, M.-J., & Skonieczny, K. (2024) · Progress in Aerospace Sciences · doi:10.1016/j.paerosci.2024.101045 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Additive construction using basalt regolith fines
Mueller, R. P., Sibille, L., Hintze, P. E., Lippitt, T. C., Mantovani, J. G., Nugent, M. W., & Townsend, I. I. (2015) · Earth and Space 2014 · doi:10.1061/9780784479179.042 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Modular Additive Construction Using Native Materials
Howe, A. S., Wilcox, B., McQuin, C. J. C., Mittman, D. S., Townsend, J. A., Polit-Casillas, R., & Litwin, T. E. (2015) · ASCE International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments (Earth and Space) · doi:10.1061/9780784479179.034 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Self-citationIsachenkov, M., Gorokh, I., Makarov, E., Verkhoturov, D., Khmelenko, P., Garzaniti, N., & Golkar, A. (2023) · Advances in Space Research · doi:10.1016/j.asr.2022.07.075 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Geng, Z., Zhang, L., Wu, Z., Huang, J., Wang, X., Tan, M. J., She, W., Zhou, H., & Geng, G. (2024) · Construction and Building Materials · doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.138517 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Outpost assembly using the ATHLETE mobility system
Howe, A. S., & Wilcox, B. (2016) · IEEE Aerospace Conference (AERO) · doi:10.1109/aero.2016.7500794 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Self-citationA novel 3D printing scheme for lunar construction with extremely low binder utilization
Geng, Z., Wu, Z., Wang, X., Zhang, L., She, W., & Tan, M. J. (2025) · Additive manufacturing · doi:10.1016/j.addma.2025.104657 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
A concise review of resource requirements for future space exploration
Zhang, J., Li, Y., & Zhang, Y. (2024) · Advances in Space Research · doi:10.1016/j.asr.2024.02.049 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Hu, L., Gao, H., Liu, Z., Niu, F., Ni, W., & Deng, Z. (2024) · Acta Astronautica · doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.01.013 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
SLAAM: Simultaneous Localization and Additive Manufacturing
Jin-bo, L., Aubin-Fournier, P.-L., & Skonieczny, K. (2020) · IEEE Transactions on Robotics · doi:10.1109/tro.2020.3021241 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Zhang, R., Wang, T., & Wang, G. (2025) · Additive Manufacturing Frontiers · doi:10.1016/j.amf.2025.200238 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
NASA Centennial Challenge: Three Dimensional (3D) Printed Habitat
Roman, M. C., Eberly, E., Mueller, R. P., & Deutsch, S. (2016) · ASCE International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments (Earth and Space) · doi:10.1061/9780784479971.034 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Additive Manufacturing of Lunar Regolith: A Review
Sun, W., Dang, F., Zhou, Y., Wen, S., Zhou, C., Shi, Y., & Ding, L. (2025) · Additive Manufacturing Frontiers · doi:10.1016/j.amf.2025.200225 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
A Review of Selective Laser Sintering/Melting Techniques for Lunar Construction
Agapkin, I. A., & Slyuta, E. (2025) · Acta Astronautica · doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2025.08.047 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Mars surface habitability options
Howe, A. S., Simon, M. A., Smitherman, D. V., Howard, R., Toups, L., & Hoffman, S. J. (2015) · IEEE Aerospace Conference (AERO) · doi:10.1109/aero.2015.7119273 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
A Cable-Driven Parallel Robot for 3D Printing
Zhong, Y., & Qian, S. (2018) · International Conference on Mechatronics, Robotics and Automation (ICMRA) · doi:10.1109/icmra.2018.8490542 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Li, L., Yuan, P., Tang, Y., Cooper, G., Thurlbeck, S., Cheung, C. M., Manu, P., Yunusa‐Kaltungo, A., & Weightman, A. (2024) · Heliyon · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29697 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Characterization of 3D printed samples from biomass-fungi composite materials
Rahman, A. M., Bhardwaj, A., Wei, P., Akib, Y. M., Rahman, T. T., Pei, Z., Shaw, B. D., & Ufodike, C. O. (2024) · Manufacturing Letters · doi:10.1016/j.mfglet.2024.09.139 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Small Body Hopper Mobility Concepts
Howe, S. A., Gernhardt, M. L., Lee, D. E., Crues, E. Z., Abercromby, A. F. J., Chappell, S. P., & Nguyen, H. T. (2015) · AIAA SPACE Conference & Exposition · doi:10.2514/6.2015-4566 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Self-citationGholami, S., Zhang, X., Kim, Y., Kim, Y., Cui, B., Shin, H., & Lee, J. (2023) · ASCE International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments (Earth and Space) · doi:10.1061/9780784484470.068 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
A Drone-Assisted 3D Printing by Crane Structures in Construction Industry
Parisi, F., Mangini, A. M., Fanti, M. P., & Parisi, N. (2021) · IEEE International Conference on Automation Science and Engineering (CASE) · doi:10.1109/case49439.2021.9551611 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Janabadi, E. D., Amini, K., & Rastegar, S. (2025) · Aerospace · doi:10.3390/aerospace12090761 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Learning lessons from Earth and Space towards Sustainable Multi-planetary Design
Konstantatou, M., Dall’Igna, M., Wilkinson, S., Gallou, I., & Piker, D. (2022) · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · doi:10.7480/spool.2021.2.5431 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Innovation in Construction Techniques on Earth versus Space: Similarities and Differences
Subedi, S., & Pradhananga, N. (2021) · ASCE International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments (Earth and Space) · doi:10.1061/9780784483374.113 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Hu, L., Gao, H., Liu, Z., Chen, S., & Deng, Z. (2025) · Acta Astronautica · doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2025.04.005 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Towards Mobile 3D Printing for Planetary Construction
Bulger, S., & Skonieczny, K. (2016) · ASCE International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments (Earth and Space) · doi:10.1061/9780784479971.033 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
50-year Window to Establish a Space Faring Civilization
Howe, S. A. (2015) · AIAA SPACE Conference & Exposition · doi:10.2514/6.2015-4565 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Self-citationLunar construction solution: Chinese Super Mason
Ding, L., Zhou, C., & Chen, R. (2018) · Creative Construction Conference 2018 - Proceedings · doi:10.3311/ccc2018-010 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Konstantatou, M., Todisco, L., Borg, C., Piker, D., Perez, S. C. N., & Gallou, I. (2024) · Springer series in adaptive environments · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-50081-7_1 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Geng, Z., Zhang, L., Wu, Z., Jiale, H., Wang, X., Tan, M., She, W., Zhou, H., & Geng, G. (2024) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.4777037 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Star Light, Star Bright… Let’s Build a House on the Moon Tonight!
Jagoda, J. A., Hoisington, A. J., & Schuldt, S. (2020) · Frontiers for Young Minds · doi:10.3389/frym.2020.546032
Sintering: A Method for Construction of Off-Earth Infrastructure from Off-Earth Materials
Scott, L., & Nguyen, T. T. (2023) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-97913-3_12
Onuțu, C., UNGUREANU, D., & Ţăranu, N. (2023) · ANNALS OF THE ACADEMY OF ROMANIAN SCIENTISTS Series on ENGINEERING SCIENCES · doi:10.56082/annalsarscieng.2023.2.83
- Authors
- Howe, S. A., Wilcox, B. H., McQuin, C., Townsend, J., Rieber, R. R., Barmatz, M., & Leichty, J.
- Affiliations
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory (US)
- Venue
- AIAA SPACE 2013 Conference and Exposition
- Published
- 2013-09-10
- OpenAlex
- W2111106173
- Cited by
- 42
- References
- 23
- Citations by year
- 2025: 6 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 5
- FWCI
- 7.50
- Type
- conference paper
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- AIAA SPACE Conference & Exposition (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Kennedy Space Center
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Building and Construction › Innovations in Concrete and Construction Materials
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Automotive Engineering › Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Technologies
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Planetary Science and Exploration
- Keywords
- in-situ resource utilization, lunar construction, microwave sintering, radiation shielding, street paving, robotic positioning
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
