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We have numerous new ideas that we would like to attempt and implement in the course of our current NIAC project. In addition to research that will advance the maturity of the proposed architecture, we anticipate other divisions of NASA to be interested in expanding the robotic construction methods that we will develop to build other types of ISRU basedmcomponents beyond basic infrastructure. Robotic construction technologies could build tools, other robots, scientific equipment and many other objects that can be formed from excavated and processedmextraterrestrial materials. We also anticipate major contributions by robotics and co-robotics researchersmat NASA divisions to integrate our proven fabrication technologies with space-worthy advanced class of NASA robotics hardware and intelligent software. Once such integration materializes excitingdemonstrations at D-RATS will be performed and following successful demonstration and refinement the ultimate dream of actual Lunar settlement construction will be realized. A robotic construction system can also provide tremendous benefits for human habitation on Earth. Construction is the last frontier of human endeavor to be automated. Automated building technologies will revolutionize the way structures are built on Earth, in dense urban environments, in difficult-to-buildand difficult-to-service sites, or in remote and hostile regions of the globe. The technologies under development by our group have the potential to simplify construction logistics, reduce the need for hard physical labor by assigning humans to a strictly supervisory role, eliminate issues relating to human safety, and produce intricate and aesthetically refined designs and structures at significantly reduced construction cost. Space architecture in general and Lunar and Martian structures in particular will also provide a rich new aesthetic vocabulary for architects to employ in the design and creation of buildings that employ high technology and building information modeling that is vital for optimizing use of materials and energy that is critical to building economics. We anticipate this NIAC initiated endeavor to ultimately lead to revolutionizing construction on our planet and significantly impacting the quality of life for billions of people and improving the state of the earth environment. The recently published Roadmap for US Robotics has identified several key areas and related enabling technologies for co-robotics which will result in US economic expansion. Robotic construction falls into two categories of manufacturing and professional services identified in that Roadmap. The economics of the proposed approach will enable the construction of durable, low-cost housing in the US and worldwide, and can enable much faster disaster recovery. Replacing human workers with robots on construction sites will reduce the injuries and fatalities of construction, which has long been recognized as the most hazardous occupation. Some of the specific proposed research modules will also have broad impacts. For example, construction using sand and without the use of water would be extremely useful for dry climates, and the work on radiation shielding may lead to terrestrial benefits such as improved and more economical shielding at nuclear power plants and nuclear waste storage sites. Student involvement will develop uniquely experienced future US construction robotic engineers and researchers.","infoText":"Closed out","infoTextExtra":"Project closed out","isIndirect":false,"infusionPretty":"","isBiDirectional":false,"technologyOutcomeDateString":"Sep 2012","technologyOutcomeDateFullString":"September 2012","technologyOutcomePartnerPretty":"","technologyOutcomePathPretty":"Closed Out","technologyOutcomeRationalePretty":""}],"primaryImage":{"file":{"fileExtension":"jpg","fileId":351607,"presignedUpload":false,"fileSizeString":"0 Byte"},"libraryItemId":351944,"description":"Project Image Contour Crafting Simulation Plan for Lunar Settlement Infrastructure Build-Up","projectId":4355,"publishedDateString":"","entryDateString":"","libraryItemTypePretty":"","modifiedDateString":""},"libraryItems":[{"file":{"fileExtension":"jpg","fileId":351607,"fileName":"15118","fileSize":155598,"objectId":351944,"objectType":"libraryItemFiles","presignedUpload":false,"fileSizeString":"152.0 KB"},"files":[{"fileExtension":"jpg","fileId":351607,"fileName":"15118","fileSize":155598,"objectId":351944,"objectType":"libraryItemFiles","presignedUpload":false,"fileSizeString":"152.0 KB"}],"libraryItemId":351944,"title":"15118.jpg","description":"Project Image Contour Crafting Simulation Plan for Lunar Settlement Infrastructure Build-Up","libraryItemType":"Image","projectId":4355,"isPrimary":true,"internalOnly":false,"publishedDateString":"","entryDateString":"01/22/25 01:10 AM","libraryItemTypePretty":"Image","modifiedDateString":"08/22/22 08:59 PM"}],"states":[{"abbreviation":"CA","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"California","stateTerritoryId":59,"isTerritory":false}],"endDateString":"Sep 2012","startDateString":"Sep 2011"}}