Image courtesy of NASA

NASA will accept entries until Feb. 15, although the Federal Register said late entries will be accepted with a fee.

NASA announced Nov. 7 its plans to begin accepting entries for the third and final phase of its Mars habitat design challenge.

NASA plans to use robots to build structures for people to live in on Mars and the moon, Click Orlando reported.

Phase one, which ended in 2015 encouraged teams to use 3D technology to build potential structures, with winning teams earning $40,000 to $50,000 in prize money. Phase two, which concluded in August 2017 at Caterpillar's Edwards Demonstration and Learning Center in Edwards, Ill., required teams to use materials found on Mars, or other recyclables. The first-prize-winning team of Phase two, Foster + Partners of Branch Technology, received a $250,000 prize.

According to NASA project manager Tony Kim, materials for this final phase can include 3D printing, recycled materials and resources found on Mars, Click Orlando reported. Challenge finalists will face off in a week-long competition held at the Edwards Demonstration and Learning Center at the end of April.

NASA said the building innovations developed in this project will help those a little closer to home build affordable, or temporary housing when traditional construction isn't an option, Click Orlando reported.

NASA will accept entries until Feb. 15, although the Federal Register said late entries will be accepted with a fee.

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