3D-Printed Polymer Space Anchors for Low-Gravity Construction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing earth anchors are costly, heavy, and prone to corrosion due to extraterrestrial environmental conditions, requiring pre-manufacture and transport, which is economically prohibitive and inefficient for lunar or Martian construction.

Innovation Solution

Space anchors made of polymer filaments, produced on-site using 3D/4D printers, designed to withstand extraterrestrial conditions, with various shapes and connections for anchoring structures without the need for extensive excavation or cement, utilizing polymer filaments for 3D printing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional steel anchors are transported to extraterrestrial bodies, then anchoring strength and reliability are improved, but transportation cost and weight are significantly increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring reliabilityVSAvoidtransportation weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from traditional steel to polymer composite materials, which have higher strength-to-weight ratio. This allows anchors to maintain sufficient anchoring strength while significantly reducing transportation weight for extraterrestrial missions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs polymer composite materials that combine the advantages of polymer matrices with reinforcing fibers, creating a material that is both lightweight and mechanically strong enough for anchoring applications in low-gravity environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If steel anchors are used in extraterrestrial environments, then structural strength is maintained, but corrosion resistance deteriorates due to extreme conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidcorrosion resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses polymer composite materials that inherently resist corrosion from extreme extraterrestrial conditions including vacuum, temperature fluctuations, and lunar/Martian soil chemistry, while maintaining structural strength through fiber reinforcement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs polymer materials that, while potentially having shorter service life than steel in some terrestrial applications, provide sufficient durability for extraterrestrial missions while offering superior corrosion resistance and being more cost-effective for single-use or limited-life applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Manufacturing precision

If anchors are pre-manufactured on Earth, then manufacturing precision is ensured, but production time and transportation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchor precisionVSAvoidproduction time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by delivering compact 3D printing equipment and polymer material supplies to extraterrestrial bases before construction activities, enabling local manufacturing of anchors when needed without requiring extensive pre-manufacturing on Earth

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical manufacturing processes with 3D additive manufacturing technology, which can produce complex anchor geometries with high precision directly from digital models, reducing both production time and the need for extensive tooling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If extensive excavation is performed for anchor installation, then anchoring capacity is improved, but energy consumption and time requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring capacityVSAvoidinstallation energy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional approach by designing anchors that achieve capacity through their installation method (e.g., driven piles, screw anchors) rather than requiring extensive excavation to create large bearing surfaces, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining anchoring reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The space anchors provide durable, cost-effective anchoring solutions resistant to corrosion and environmental factors, minimizing transportation costs and time, and enabling rapid, site-specific production without excess material waste.

Implementation Method 1

The anchoring part and the connecting part are produced on a 3D/4D printer by using a polymer filament designed as a material for printing on the 3D/4D printer

Methodology Applied

Scientific Effect3D Printing: 3D Printing

Data Source

PatentUS20260002331A1Space anchors for use on the moon, mars and other extraterrestrial bodies

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 NIROUMAND HAMED

AI summary

A space anchor, as a simple type of space foundation intended for use on an extraterrestrial body, comprises at least one anchoring part connected to a driving part via a connecting element. The driving part is designed to install the anchoring part at the desired position within the lunar or Martian regolith, also referred to as lunar soil, under space geotechnical conditions that involve different gravitational forces compared to Earth's. Additionally, the driving part enables connection to an external structure as part of space construction on the extraterrestrial body. Both the anchoring and connecting parts are manufactured from a polymer using 3D or 4D printing technology.