Chinese scientists are pushing the boundaries of space construction with an ambitious plan to send bricks made from simulated lunar soil into space. The goal is to determine whether these bricks can withstand the harsh conditions of the moon and be used for building a research base, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
The sample bricks are set to be transported to the Tiangong space station next month aboard the Tianzhou-8 cargo spacecraft, according to Ding Lieyun, an expert in intelligent construction from Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan. This three-year experiment aims to observe how the bricks degrade under radiation and temperature changes.
Ding, who heads the university’s National Centre of Technology Innovation for Digital Construction, explained during a live broadcast on state TV that the bricks can be baked to a strength of 100 megapascals here on Earth, making them much harder than concrete. However, further research is necessary to ensure that they can survive the moon’s harsh environment.
China has set its sights on building an International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) near the moon’s south pole by 2035, aiming to use locally sourced materials instead of transporting construction materials from Earth. This approach is viewed as more feasible and cost-effective, given the moon’s challenging environment, which includes low gravity, a lack of water, and frequent moonquakes.
The research comes amid growing international interest in lunar exploration. The United States also has plans to establish a long-term base on the moon, making this a particularly timely and competitive scientific venture.
According to reports, the artificial lunar soil closely mimics the real thing, although slight variations exist in its composition. The soil is baked in a vacuum hot-press furnace using a graphite mold to simulate lunar conditions.
Looking ahead, the first brick made from real lunar soil is expected to be produced during China’s Chang’e-8 mission in 2028. This mission serves as a precursor to the ILRS moon base, aiming to test critical technologies necessary for sustainable operation. Components of the base could potentially be 3D-printed on the moon, and robots are being developed to assemble these bricks into various structures.
Robots named “Chinese Super Masons” are part of this plan, aiming to manufacture bricks from lunar soil. The Chang’e-8 mission will also include a lander and rover to explore the moon’s South Pole region, which is seen as a favorable location for future lunar bases.
Aside from Ding’s team, other Chinese research groups are also contributing to lunar base concepts. The Harbin Institute of Technology, for example, has proposed design structures like “clover” and “red star” for flat surfaces and lunar craters.
This groundbreaking research aims to lay the foundation for future long-term human presence on the moon, combining scientific exploration with technological innovation.