NASA has announced that the three best teams participating in the 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge have completed the final round of the competition - complete virtual construction. The first prize was awarded to the SEArch+/Apis Cor team from New York, the second winner was Zopherus - Rogers from Arkansas, and third place was given to a project Mars Incubator from New Haven, Connecticut.

The total prize of $100,000 was divided between the winners. This phase of the competition required teams to create a full-scale habitat project using modeling software.

The modular habitat Foster + Partners, first introduced in 2015, was also among the 30 finalists in the 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge. The multi-round 3D printing competition of the Habitat Challenge allowed teams to express themselves in several areas of 3D printing, including modeling software, material design, and design.

The NASA competition includes 3 main phases, the last of which features the On-Site Habitat Competition, which includes five levels for teams to demonstrate ability to promote technologies for autonomous environment creation. The winner, who will receive the main prize of $800,000, will be determined in the final one-on-one 3D print competition from the 1st to the 4th of May, 2019.

The teams also prepared short videos, giving an idea of their design, as well as miniature 3D-printed models. Points were also awarded for aesthetic performance and realism.

SEArch+/Apis Cor

The SEArch+/Apis Cor team was ranked first in the Quarter-level software simulation phase. The unique form of their habitat allows constant strengthening of the structure. Light penetrates through the gutter holes on the sides and on top.

Zopherus

The Zopherus team took second place in phase 3. The design of their project will be created by an autonomous roving printer that prints the structure and then moves on to the next site.

Mars Incubator

The virtual design from the Mars Incubator team took third place at this stage. The team brings together engineers and artists, which is reflected in their design.

NASA has long been developing in the field of 3D printing, so in February, one of their teams created realidtic Bennu asteroid model for 3D printing.