At just 21 years old, Madison Feehan, an Edmonton native, is already making significant strides in space exploration through her work with NASA. Her fascination with the cosmos began in ninth grade, and over the last five years, Feehan has progressively honed her expertise, even serving as an executive panelist and peer reviewer for NASA’s Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES). Her role involves evaluating technological concepts for their potential to be utilized in space and their relevance to upcoming NASA missions.
Feehan’s dedication extends to her own entrepreneurial venture, Space Copy, where she is the CEO and founder. This innovative company focuses on developing 3D printers capable of fabricating scalable infrastructure in extreme environments both on Earth and in space. By utilizing on-site materials for 3D printing, the company aims to significantly reduce the costs associated with transporting materials for space missions.
Space Copy has recently made breakthroughs in converting lunar soil into usable structures, such as bricks, for building habitats, launch pads, roads, and precision tools. The company showcased a 3D printed brick made from lunar soil stimulant, which is 99.7% accurate to material recovered during the Apollo 16 mission. This innovation not only promises to make living in space more feasible but also offers staggering cost reductions, projecting up to a 70% decrease in expenses.
In recognition of her groundbreaking work, Feehan has participated in over 60 global conferences in the past two years. Her company was also honored with the Buzz Aldrin Family Foundation Global Innovation Award. Looking forward, Space Copy plans to deploy a 3D printer on the moon by 2031, in conjunction with NASA’s Artemis mission. Despite her young age, Feehan and her team have rapidly advanced in an industry that remains particularly challenging, especially for young women.
