Jezero Crater, Mars - NASA's next big mission, Galahad-1, is getting closer to reality with the start of construction on the Martian surface of the station that will house the mission's astronauts. Robots have begun assembling the modular units of Pendragon Station, using advanced 3D printing technology to fabricate the necessary materials and components. The construction process is expected to take approximately two years, with the station set to be completed in time for the arrival of the human crew in 2.5 years.

The mission's project manager, Dr. Karen Chen, explained that the robotic construction method allows for a much faster and safer building process than if it were done by human hands. "The use of robots for construction on Mars is a critical component of our planning for future manned missions," she said. "It's safer for the astronauts and more efficient in terms of time and resources."

Pendragon Station is designed to be self-sufficient, with advanced life support systems and power generation facilities. Once completed, it will serve as the base of operations for the Galahad-1 mission, which aims to explore the Martian surface and search for evidence of past or present life on the planet.

The robotic construction process will allow for flexibility in the design and layout of the station, which will be modular and expandable. This will enable future missions to build upon the initial infrastructure established by the Galahad-1 crew.

As the construction of Pendragon Station continues, the Galahad-1 team is busy preparing for their mission, with extensive training and testing underway. The mission is set to launch in just under two years, with the goal of making groundbreaking discoveries and advancing humanity's understanding of our neighboring planet.