When setting up a lunar station, technologies for the use of locally available materials are crucial. Such technologies drastically reduce the need for transportation from Earth. An idea implemented through ESA's Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP) aims to develop a key technology, namely 'Mobile–Selective Laser Melting (M-SLM)' for building large structures on the Moon. This technique involves directing a mobile high-power laser beam onto lunar regolith. The melted regolith can be used to build structures, which become strong once the regolith solidifies.
OSIP seeks novel ideas for new space research activities. Campaigns and Channels invite solutions to specific problems or ideas on more general topics, with those run by Discovery & Preparation, including the Open Discovery Ideas Channel, specifically looking for ideas that could be implemented as system studies, early technology developments, or PhD or postdoc research co-funded by ESA and a university.