Chinese researchers have developed bricks using a material that closely mimics the composition of lunar soil, a step toward building a future lunar base. With plans for a manned moon landing by 2029-2030, China aims to establish a lunar base by 2035, and these “lunar soil bricks” could be key to its construction, designed to withstand the moon’s extreme conditions.
The bricks will undergo rigorous testing aboard the Tianzhou-8 spacecraft, currently stationed at China’s space station. The first sample is expected to return to Earth by late 2025, after being exposed to the harsh space environment.
According to Zhou Cheng, a professor at the National Center of Technology Innovation for Digital Construction and the Huazhong University of Science and Technology, these “simulated lunar soil bricks” are significantly stronger than conventional building materials, with a compressive strength over three times greater than standard bricks or concrete. “What we care about the most is its mechanical and thermal performances, including heat preservation, insulation effectiveness, and its ability to withstand cosmic radiation,” Zhou said.
The moon’s surface experiences extreme temperature fluctuations, reaching over 180°C during the day and dropping to -190°C at night. Additionally, the absence of an atmosphere leaves the lunar surface exposed to cosmic radiation, micrometeorites, and moonquakes, all of which pose significant challenges for construction materials.
To meet these challenges, the researchers designed the bricks in two forms: columnar for mechanical testing and flaky for assessing thermal and radiation resistance. Made from five different simulated compositions of lunar soil, the bricks are also processed using three distinct sintering methods to gather data on their durability.
China’s long-term space science program, unveiled this week, outlines plans for an international lunar research station, with construction set to take place from 2028 to 2035. The “lunar soil bricks” project plays a vital role in this vision, as the research team seeks to provide crucial materials for building a sustainable base on the moon.
Key Points:
- Lunar Soil Bricks: Chinese researchers developed bricks mimicking lunar soil to build a future moon base.
- Moon Landing Goals: China aims for a manned moon landing by 2029-2030 and plans to establish a lunar base by 2035.
- Testing on Space Station: The bricks will be tested aboard the Tianzhou-8 spacecraft at China’s space station, with the first sample expected to return to Earth by late 2025.
- Superior Strength: The lunar soil bricks have a compressive strength over three times greater than conventional building materials.
- Harsh Lunar Conditions: The bricks are designed to withstand extreme temperatures, cosmic radiation, micrometeorites, and moonquakes.
- Space Science Roadmap: China’s long-term space program outlines plans for an international lunar research station, with construction from 2028 to 2035.
