Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): NASA Plans to Build Houses on the Moon by 2040
Introduction
Several scientists from NASA have informed the New York Times that the agency is planning to build houses on the moon by 2040. This ambitious project aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations to address global challenges and promote sustainable development.
Project Olympus: Building Houses on the Moon
NASA aims to establish a long-term presence on the moon, allowing astronauts to stay for extended periods. The agency plans to construct these lunar houses using a 3D printer and a special lunar concrete derived from the moon’s surface. To accomplish this, NASA has partnered with ICON, an Austin-based 3D printing company.
ICON has already created a prototype home in Austin in 2018, utilizing their proprietary machine called Vulcan. In 2022, they announced an additional $60 million funding from NASA to develop a space-based construction system that can be utilized beyond Earth. The objective is to send a 3D printer to the moon via a rocket, enabling it to complete the construction process on-site.
Benefits and Collaboration
The collaboration between NASA and ICON brings together experts with a shared goal of establishing sustainable housing on the moon. Niki Werkheiser, NASA’s director of technology maturation, expressed confidence in the project’s success, stating, “We’ve got all the right people together at the right time with a common goal, which is why I think we’ll get there. Everyone is ready to take this step together, so if we get our core capabilities developed, there’s no reason it’s not possible.”
Conclusion
The initiative to build houses on the moon by 2040 demonstrates NASA’s commitment to advancing sustainable development and achieving the SDGs. This project not only aims to provide long-term habitation for astronauts but also serves as a significant milestone in human exploration and technological innovation.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure | Indicator 9.1.1: Proportion of the rural population who live within 2 km of an all-season road |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.1: Ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services | Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements, or inadequate housing |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into their national policies, strategies, and planning |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
The article discusses NASA’s plan to build houses on the moon using 3D printing technology. This relates to SDG 9, which focuses on industry, innovation, and infrastructure. The use of 3D printing technology for construction represents innovation in the field of infrastructure development.
Additionally, the article mentions the goal of providing long-term housing for astronauts on the moon. This aligns with SDG 11, which aims to ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services.
Furthermore, the article highlights the use of lunar concrete made from the moon’s surface for building the houses. This demonstrates a consideration for climate action (SDG 13) by utilizing local resources and reducing the need for transporting construction materials from Earth.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure
- Target 11.1: Ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services
- Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are:
– Target 9.1: Developing sustainable infrastructure through the use of 3D printing technology for constructing houses on the moon.
– Target 11.1: Providing long-term housing for astronauts on the moon through the construction of houses using lunar concrete.
– Target 13.2: Incorporating climate change measures into space exploration planning by utilizing local resources and reducing the environmental impact of transporting construction materials.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 9.1.1: Proportion of the rural population who live within 2 km of an all-season road
- Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements, or inadequate housing
- Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into their national policies, strategies, and planning
While the article does not explicitly mention indicators, we can identify relevant indicators to measure progress towards the identified targets:
– Indicator 9.1.1: The proportion of lunar infrastructure development completed using sustainable and resilient methods, such as 3D printing technology.
– Indicator 11.1.1: The proportion of astronauts provided with adequate, safe, and affordable housing on the moon.
– Indicator 13.2.1: The extent to which climate change measures are integrated into space exploration policies, strategies, and planning, including the use of local resources and reduction of environmental impact.
Overall, these indicators would help assess the progress made in achieving the targets related to sustainable infrastructure development, adequate housing provision, and climate change integration in space exploration.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure | Indicator 9.1.1: Proportion of lunar infrastructure development completed using sustainable and resilient methods |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.1: Ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services | Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of astronauts provided with adequate, safe, and affordable housing on the moon |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | Indicator 13.2.1: The extent to which climate change measures are integrated into space exploration policies, strategies, and planning |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: science.slashdot.org
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
