BOXABL, a company known for its foldable housing solutions, has unveiled a conceptual off-world habitation system called the UFO (Unidentified Folding Object). Designed to address the challenges of transporting and deploying livable structures beyond Earth, the concept was featured in the company's recently released video “LIVE ON THE MOON (Part 1) — UFO by BOXABL.” The UFO habitat leverages BOXABL's foldable building intellectual property, allowing habitats to launch in a compact configuration and expand into larger living spaces after deployment.
According to BOXABL, the concept was developed by an after-hours skunkworks engineering team. It is intended to support future lunar and planetary settlement scenarios through modular, linkable structures that could be used for research, tourism, and support operations. The company also indicated it plans to make the UFO intellectual property available on a royalty-free basis to encourage broader innovation in off-world habitation systems. However, BOXABL emphasized that the project remains separate from its core mission of advancing housing affordability and construction efficiency on Earth.
“This concept aligns with our vision of creating adaptable living spaces, whether on Earth or beyond,” said a BOXABL representative. “By sharing this IP royalty-free, we hope to accelerate the development of sustainable habitats for space exploration.” The announcement has drawn attention to the potential for foldable structures in space, a field where compactness and ease of deployment are critical.
For more details, the full press release is available at https://ibn.fm/opOWs. BOXABL's core business remains focused on its flagship product, the Casita, a 361-square-foot studio unit that unfolds on-site in less than an hour. The company also produces the Baby Box, a smaller 120-square-foot unit built to RV code, and is developing stackable and connectable models for larger homes. More information about BOXABL can be found at https://www.boxabl.com/ir.
BOXABL is also involved in a merger with FG Merger II Corp., a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). Updates regarding the merger are available in the company's newsroom at https://ibn.fm/FGMC. The UFO concept, while separate from these business activities, underscores BOXABL's innovative approach to modular building systems. As space agencies and private companies ramp up efforts to establish a permanent presence on the Moon and Mars, concepts like BOXABL's UFO highlight the importance of developing efficient, deployable habitats.
The implications of this announcement extend beyond BOXABL's core housing market. By making its IP royalty-free, BOXABL is fostering collaboration in the space architecture community, potentially leading to faster advancements in extraterrestrial construction. This move could also position BOXABL as a key player in the emerging space economy, even as it continues to tackle housing affordability on Earth.
