Researchers create 'lunar bricks' for building future moon bases
Chinese researchers have created bricks made from a material that closely resembles lunar soil, aiming to utilize them for constructing a lunar base in the future.
TroibNews 
Chinese researchers have created bricks made from a material resembling lunar soil, with aspirations for their use in constructing a lunar base in the future.
In a recent video from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, a research team led by Ding Lieyun showcased their development of "lunar bricks." These bricks exhibit strength over three times that of standard red bricks or concrete bricks.
Additionally, the team explored alternative construction methods utilizing additive manufacturing technology. They designed a 3D-printing robot capable of constructing houses using lunar soil.
Zhou Cheng from HUST indicated that the team experimented with five distinct simulated lunar soil compositions and three different sintering processes, yielding more precise scientific data for material selection and process optimization for future lunar base projects.
Zhou noted that lunar soil composition varies across different lunar locations, highlighting that one of the simulated compositions replicates the soil at the landing site of Chang'e-5, which consists primarily of basalt. Other compositions mimic soil from diverse sites that are predominantly anorthosite.
He mentioned that the bricks must undergo performance testing to assess their mechanical properties in the lunar environment and their resilience against frequent lunar quakes.
Test conditions on the moon include a vacuum environment with high cosmic radiation, with temperatures soaring above 180 degrees Celsius during the lunar day and plummeting to minus 190 degrees Celsius at night. Zhou highlighted the need to evaluate the bricks' insulation properties and their capacity to withstand radiation.
The lunar bricks are slated to be transported to China's space station aboard the Tianzhou-8 cargo spacecraft, where they will be tested for mechanical and thermal performance as well as their resilience to cosmic radiation. The first lunar brick is anticipated to return to Earth by the end of 2025.
On Tuesday, China unveiled a comprehensive medium- to long-term development program for space science, outlining a strategic plan for advancing space-related endeavors through 2050. The second phase of this program, set to take place between 2028 and 2035, will focus on constructing an international lunar research station initiated by China.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
In a recent video from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, a research team led by Ding Lieyun showcased their development of "lunar bricks." These bricks exhibit strength over three times that of standard red bricks or concrete bricks.
Additionally, the team explored alternative construction methods utilizing additive manufacturing technology. They designed a 3D-printing robot capable of constructing houses using lunar soil.
Zhou Cheng from HUST indicated that the team experimented with five distinct simulated lunar soil compositions and three different sintering processes, yielding more precise scientific data for material selection and process optimization for future lunar base projects.
Zhou noted that lunar soil composition varies across different lunar locations, highlighting that one of the simulated compositions replicates the soil at the landing site of Chang'e-5, which consists primarily of basalt. Other compositions mimic soil from diverse sites that are predominantly anorthosite.
He mentioned that the bricks must undergo performance testing to assess their mechanical properties in the lunar environment and their resilience against frequent lunar quakes.
Test conditions on the moon include a vacuum environment with high cosmic radiation, with temperatures soaring above 180 degrees Celsius during the lunar day and plummeting to minus 190 degrees Celsius at night. Zhou highlighted the need to evaluate the bricks' insulation properties and their capacity to withstand radiation.
The lunar bricks are slated to be transported to China's space station aboard the Tianzhou-8 cargo spacecraft, where they will be tested for mechanical and thermal performance as well as their resilience to cosmic radiation. The first lunar brick is anticipated to return to Earth by the end of 2025.
On Tuesday, China unveiled a comprehensive medium- to long-term development program for space science, outlining a strategic plan for advancing space-related endeavors through 2050. The second phase of this program, set to take place between 2028 and 2035, will focus on constructing an international lunar research station initiated by China.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
