According to sources ISRO is planning to build the ‘lunar habitats’ by sending robots and 3D printers to the Moon and by using the soil there, among other material. Meanwhile ISRO, India’s premier space research organization, has made progress with a working model of the 3D printer that they plan to use during the mission, in the terrain test facility.
M Annadurai, Director of ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC) stated that “They are planning to use the Moon as an outpost like missions in Antarctica. In the long run, the space station is likely to be scrapped. Many countries, including the US, are considering building more permanent structures on the Moon and working out of there. When that happens, we want India to have contributed".
Accordingly the ISRO scientists have already carved out five designs of
the potential habitats. They are working on procure the technology soon, even
though the mission plan is not ready yet. He said “In the future, astronauts
going to the Moon will spend more than a few hours there". Moreover
"To keep them safe and help them work from there, we need smart materials,
which are what we are focusing on building".
