In a major step forward for space technology, Ahmedabad-based AAKA Space Studio has successfully developed and tested Asia’s first 3D-printed radiation shield designed for Mars habitats, marking a breakthrough in sustainable construction beyond Earth.
Radiation protection remains one of the biggest challenges for living on Mars, as the planet offers very little natural defence against harmful space radiation. Addressing this issue, the newly developed shield aims to provide both safety and stability for future human settlements.
The innovation was recently showcased during one of the world’s largest analog space missions. It demonstrated how habitats on Mars and the Moon can be built using locally available materials instead of transporting expensive resources from Earth.
This development is based on the concept of In-Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU), which focuses on using materials found on planetary surfaces. Mars contains resources like olivine-rich basalt and carbonate deposits suitable for construction. To replicate these conditions, AAKA created high-quality Martian soil analogues on Earth.
The team used olivine-rich materials sourced from ultramafic complexes in Salem, Tamil Nadu, and combined them with marly limestone analogues from the Ariyalur basin. These materials were mixed with specially designed lime-based binders that behave like cement under Martian conditions.
In collaboration with MiCoB and its MiCO-V 3D concrete printing systems, along with Government Arts College, the team integrated these materials into robotic and gantry-based 3D printing processes. This enabled automated, layer-by-layer construction of regolith-based structures.
The result is a strong, single-piece radiation shield that can protect astronauts from cosmic radiation while also maintaining thermal stability, both essential for long-term habitation on Mars.
Experts believe this approach can significantly reduce reliance on Earth-based supplies, lowering mission costs and payload demands. It also supports scalable construction on other planetary surfaces, which is crucial for future deep space missions.
The successful test reflects India’s growing strength in space architecture, materials science and robotics. By combining local resources with advanced technology, AAKA Space Studio is contributing to global efforts aimed at human settlement beyond Earth.
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