Solar-powered device converts moon dirt into bricks, a potential breakthrough in lunar construction

Solar-powered tech transforms moon dirt into bricks for sustainable lunar bases, a Chinese engineering leap.

: An innovative solar-powered system developed by China's DSEL converts lunar regolith into construction bricks, simplifying lunar base construction logistics. This groundbreaking technology employs a parabolic mirror to intensely focus solar radiation, reaching over 2,300°F to melt and form lunar soil into various structural shapes. Although promising, the bricks can't withstand lunar vacuum pressure but can shield habitats made of pressurized modules. This advancement could significantly impact the space race as both the U.S. and China aim for lunar exploration dominance by establishing bases.

A novel invention developed by a team of scientists at China's Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL) is poised to transform lunar base construction by converting moon dirt into strong, durable bricks using solar energy. This technology capitalizes on in-situ resource utilization, a method that significantly reduces the dependency on Earth-sourced materials. The system designed operates much like a 3D printer, harnessing the solar energy collected by a parabolic mirror to melt lunar regolith, commonly known as moondust, into construction materials. Tested successfully with artificial lunar soil, the prototype device achieves temperatures over 2,300 degrees Fahrenheit (1,300 degrees Celsius), critical for effective melting and shaping.

Given the strategic advantages of establishing a lunar presence, particularly as the U.S. and China race to build permanent bases within a decade, DSEL's breakthrough offers a substantial competitive edge. The method has been validated through lab tests simulating lunar conditions and employing xenon lamps for sunlight imitation. The Chinese Lunar Exploration Program's efforts have paralleled and sometimes surpassed NASA's Artemis program's accomplishments, adding to the urgency for the U.S. to expedite its endeavors.

In July, the research outlining these advancements was published in a respected scientific journal. Key among the findings is the technology's potential to produce a variety of structural forms from lunar regolith, including lines, surfaces, and bodies, enabling the construction of infrastructure like roads and equipment platforms on the Moon. Yang Hoglun, senior engineer at DSEL, emphasized the project marks a major leap in utilizing lunar materials to support exploration and resource management.

However, the project faces challenges, as highlighted by Moon Daily. The bricks created cannot withstand the Moon's vacuum and low gravity by themselves, which limits their application to being protective layers over pressure-sustaining habitat modules, crafted from rigid and inflatable materials. Despite these constraints, the invention is a pivotal step in building a self-sufficient lunar environment, decreasing the need to transport massive quantities of building materials from Earth.

As the global space race intensifies, with both China and the U.S. competing for a first-mover advantage on the Moon, the ability to develop lunar infrastructure autonomously becomes increasingly critical. The continuous efforts and innovations in this area demonstrate the broader ambitions of nations to not just explore but permanently inhabit extraterrestrial bodies, reaping both scientific and economic benefits.

Sources: Gizmodo, Moon Daily, ScienceDirect, SPJ Science

innovationSpaceResearch