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China is advancing its lunar ambitions by preparing to 3D-print bricks on the moon using lunar soil, marking a significant stride towards establishing a lunar base. This innovative approach, utilizing in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), could revolutionize space construction and pave the way for sustained lunar habitation.
Chang’e 8 Mission: Pioneering Lunar 3D Printing
The Chang’e 8 spacecraft, slated for launch around 2028, represents a crucial step in this endeavor. This mission is designed as a precursor to China’s ambitious International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) and holds the potential to be a major breakthrough in lunar exploration and settlement.
Sending materials to the moon is prohibitively expensive. Therefore, leveraging resources already available on the lunar surface, known as in-situ resource utilization, offers immense potential to drastically reduce expenses and broaden mission possibilities. Chang’e 8 is poised to be a game-changer by demonstrating 3D printing technology for lunar construction.
Utilizing Lunar Soil for Brick Production
Wu Weiren, chief designer of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program, stated to China Central Television (CCTV), “We have developed the world’s premier device capable of producing bricks from lunar soil. This system captures sunlight, converts it into solar energy, and transmits it to the moon using fiber optics.”
He further explained, “By concentrating solar energy, we can generate temperatures between 1400 to 1500 degrees Celsius [2,552 to 2732 degrees Fahrenheit], sufficient to melt lunar soil. Our device then employs 3D printing technology to mold this molten material into bricks of diverse specifications. This method enables us to harness resources present on the moon, eliminating the need to transport water and other materials from Earth.”
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A successful demonstration would significantly advance China’s capacity to plan and execute more extensive construction projects on the moon, facilitating the establishment of a permanent lunar presence.
Related Developments in Lunar Construction
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Testing Lunar Soil Simulants in Space
This initiative builds upon prior Chinese advancements. China has previously dispatched samples of bricks composed of lunar soil simulant, designed to mimic authentic lunar regolith, to its Tiangong space station. These samples will remain exposed outside Tiangong for three years to assess their resilience to the severe thermal, radiation, and vacuum conditions of space. This experiment will aid in evaluating their suitability for constructing lunar habitats.
Chang’e 7 Mission: Searching for Lunar Water Ice
Prior to Chang’e 8, China is set to launch Chang’e 7 in 2026. This mission will investigate the lunar south pole’s environment and resources, with a particular emphasis on locating water ice. The discovery of water ice could signify the availability of a crucial resource for drinking water, oxygen production, and rocket propellant directly on the moon. The mission will utilize a hopping robot to explore permanently shadowed craters, areas considered promising locations for water ice deposits.
Wu emphasized, “We are actively searching for water. The presence of water within these craters would constitute a monumental discovery and a significant accomplishment.”
Continuing Lunar Exploration and Crewed Missions
These plans are a continuation of China’s successful series of lunar missions over the last two decades, encompassing orbiters, landers, rovers, and sample return missions, most recently the Chang’e 6 far side sample return mission concluded last year.
Furthermore, the nation aims to achieve a historic milestone by landing astronauts on the moon before 2030, further cementing its commitment to lunar exploration and development.