The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras is advancing research focused on life beyond Earth. The Extraterrestrial Manufacturing (ExTeM) team is pioneering solutions for space colonisation challenges.
Building on Mars Without Water
While global space agencies focus on heavy payload transport, IIT Madras tackles survival needs. The ExTeM team has developed waterless concrete for Martian construction.
Adithya Plato Sidharth, a post-doctoral researcher at ExTeM, told India Today, “We developed concrete using sulphur, which is abundant on Mars.” The material meets Earth’s standards without using precious Martian water.
The team also built the world’s fourth-largest Microgravity Drop Tower. This facility studies materials in zero gravity and tests metal foams for meteorite impact protection.
Expanding Research Beyond Construction
ExTeM's innovations extend to zero-gravity welding, 3D printing, and bioprinting. The team is also developing next-generation optical fibres and exploring biomanufacturing organs like human hearts.
Professor Sathyan Subbiah, leading the initiative, highlighted Earth benefits. “Our goal is to use space resources, reducing Earth’s supply chain dependency,” he stated.
As India makes strides in space exploration, IIT Madras’ research strengthens the mission. The ExTeM team’s work could shape sustainable human life on other planets while driving innovations for Earth.