AUSTIN (KXAN) -- NASA partnered with Austin 3D printing company ICON to build habitats and infrastructure that could help future explorers of the moon and Mars.

NASA said the Moon to Mars Planetary Autonomous Construction Technology (MMPACT) project explores applications of large-scale, robotic 3D printing technology for construction on other planets.

"It sounds like the stuff of science fiction, but demonstrations using simulated lunar and Martian surface material, known as regolith, show the concept could become reality," NASA said.

Here on Earth, ICON has made a name for itself by building homes using 3D printing technology, including robotics, software and advanced materials.

According to NASA's website, in 2021, ICON 3D printed a 1,700 square-foot simulated Mars habitat that included workstations, a lounge and crew quarters.