A research team from the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL), based in Hefei, China, has developed an innovative machine for making lunar bricks, bringing closer the possibility of building structures on the Moon using local materials.
The system uses on-site 3D printing and concentrated solar energy to melt the lunar soil (regolith) and shape it into high-strength blocks.
Concentrated solar energy: the heart of the process
According to senior engineer Yang Honglun, the system uses a parabolic reflector that concentrates solar radiation and transmits it through a fiber optic beam. At its end, the sunlight reaches an intensity 3,000 times higher than normal, and is precisely focused on a point exceeding 1,300 degrees Celsius, a temperature sufficient to melt lunar soil without the need for additives.
The resulting bricks have high density and resistance, making them suitable for lunar infrastructure, such as platforms for equipment, roads, and protective layers for habitats.
Adaptation to the mineral diversity of lunar regolith
Given that the composition of lunar soil varies by region, the team developed simulated regolith samples to conduct comprehensive tests before defining the final design.
The prototype development took two years, during which challenges such as efficient energy transmission and lunar material transport were addressed.
Bricks as part of a comprehensive construction system
Although lunar bricks represent a significant advancement, they are not enough on their own to build habitable habitats on the Moon. Yang explained that, in extreme conditions like space vacuum and low gravity, the bricks must be complemented with rigid modules and flexible covers to form complete structures.
The system includes:
- On-site brick manufacturing
- Assembly of architectural components
- Structural evaluation in real conditions
- Integration with lunar construction robots
Path to the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS)
This development is part of the ambitious project of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), led by China. The facility will have sections on the lunar surface and in lunar orbit, and will be built in two phases:
- Basic model: planned for 2035, at the lunar south pole
- Expanded model: projected for the 2040s
Space tests at the Chinese station
In November 2024, bricks made with simulated lunar soil were sent to the Chinese space station using the Tianzhou-8 spacecraft. There, astronauts will conduct space exposure experiments to evaluate:
- Mechanical properties
- Thermal performance
- Radiation resistance
These data will be essential to validate the feasibility of permanent lunar constructions.
