US company and Nasa aiming to use a 3D printer to build moon base, lunar infrastructure

Icon expects to send a technology demonstration to the moon later this decade. Its 3D printer that uses laser technology, called the Olympus construction system, will melt the moon's soil to create a small structural element, said Melodie Yashar, Icon's vice president of building design and performance. — Photo by Taylor Smith on Unsplash

A Texas company is creating a 3D printer that could build roadways, landing pads and habitats on the moon.

Austin-based Icon is developing a laser system that would melt the moon's soil to build structures layer by layer — melting one section of soil, adding more soil on top and then repeating the process.