A Promising Building Material for Future Moon Habitats

A Building Material for Future Moon Habitats

Researchers have developed bricks made from simulated lunar soil, a promising material for constructing future lunar habitats. These bricks boast a density similar to ordinary bricks but possess a compressive strength exceeding that of standard red and concrete bricks by more than three times. This remarkable strength allows one square centimeter of the brick to support over one ton of weight.

The combination of these durable bricks with mortise and tenon techniques makes them ideal for the structural design of future lunar bases. However, building on the lunar surface presents unique challenges due to extreme temperature fluctuations, ranging from 180°C during lunar days to -190°C at night. Additionally, the lack of atmospheric protection exposes the lunar surface to significant levels of cosmic radiation, micrometeorites, and frequent moonquakes. These factors place demanding requirements on the mechanical, thermal, and radiation resistance properties of lunar construction materials.

potential degradation of mechanical properties, heat preservation and insulation effectiveness, and resistance to cosmic radiation.

weighing the simulated lunar soil, placing it in a mold, and subjecting it to high temperatures in a vacuum hot-pressing furnace. This process does not require any additional material additives, making it a sustainable and cost-effective approach for future lunar base development.

Utilizing lunar soil as a building material eliminates the need to transport prefabricated components from Earth, significantly reducing the cost of lunar construction. The exposed bricks will provide valuable scientific data for optimizing the construction of future lunar habitats.

columnar and flaky, each serving specific testing purposes. Additionally, the bricks are made from five simulated compositions of lunar soil and undergo three distinct sintering processes, providing comprehensive scientific data for future lunar base construction.

China's lunar exploration program plans two more launch missions to lay the groundwork for the International Lunar Research Station, with the first launch expected as early as 2026. These missions will further advance the development of lunar construction technologies and pave the way for a permanent human presence on the Moon.