China is gearing up for a critical step in its ambitious quest to establish the first permanent lunar base, with an in-space experiment designed to test the feasibility of constructing bricks from the Moon’s soil. On Friday, November 15, a cargo rocket will carry brick samples to the Tiangong space station, a mission integral to Beijing’s timeline of landing humans on the Moon by 2030 and completing a permanent lunar base by 2035.
The experiment, which is as scientific as it is symbolic, highlights China’s intent to solidify its position as a leader in the burgeoning space race.
Building a base on the Moon is fraught with challenges. The absence of a breathable atmosphere, harsh temperature extremes, exposure to cosmic radiation, and frequent moonquakes make the lunar surface an inhospitable environment. Any structure must withstand temperature fluctuations from 180°C to -190°C, relentless cosmic radiation, and the bombardment of micrometeorites.
Moreover, transporting building materials from Earth is not only prohibitively expensive but logistically complex. A viable solution, according to Chinese scientists, may lie in harnessing the Moon’s resources to fabricate construction materials on-site.
Researchers from Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan have developed prototype bricks that mimic the properties of lunar soil. These experimental bricks, created from basalt and other Earth-based materials, are designed to simulate the composition of regolith — the fine, dusty soil covering the Moon’s surface.
The prototype bricks are uniquely interlocking, eliminating the need for traditional binding agents. According to Zhou Cheng, a professor leading the project, the bricks are three times stronger than conventional Earth bricks, a property essential for durability under lunar conditions.
Zhou explained the experiment’s methodology: “We’ll expose these bricks to space conditions and monitor how their durability and performance hold up under extreme environments.” The experiment will span three years, with samples periodically returned to Earth for detailed analysis.
The development of the prototype bricks was informed by China’s landmark Chang’e-5 mission, which brought back Moon soil samples in 2020. This mission was the first to collect lunar samples in over 40 years, providing valuable insights into the physical and chemical properties of regolith.
Using this data, Zhou’s team designed bricks that could theoretically be manufactured directly from lunar soil. This approach aligns with the broader objective of in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), which aims to minimize reliance on Earth’s resources.
Complementing the brick-making effort is the development of a 3D printing robot, dubbed the “Lunar Spider.” This robot is designed to construct structures on the Moon by layering the bricks into conical and other stable shapes. The use of 3D printing technology would allow for efficient and flexible construction methods, a critical feature for adapting to the Moon’s unpredictable terrain.
“In the future, our plan is to make bricks directly from lunar soil,” Zhou stated, emphasizing the cost-effectiveness and logistical advantages of this strategy.
China’s efforts to build a lunar base are not happening in isolation. The International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), a joint project between China and Russia, has garnered support from a dozen countries, including Thailand, Venezuela, and Senegal. Approximately 40 international organizations have also partnered with the initiative.
Jacco van Loon, an astrophysicist at Keele University in Britain, praised the approach: “The experiments have a good chance of success, and the results will pave the way to building moonbases.”
China’s push for a lunar base is part of a broader competition among nations to dominate lunar exploration and beyond. The United States, through its Artemis program, aims to return humans to the Moon by 2026 and establish its own lunar station. However, Artemis has faced numerous delays, raising questions about whether the U.S. can keep pace with China’s rapid advancements.
Meanwhile, the European Space Agency (ESA) has explored constructing Moon structures using 3D-printed bricks inspired by Lego. This modular approach underscores the diversity of strategies being pursued worldwide to solve the challenges of lunar construction.
The race to build a lunar base is about more than just national pride. Establishing a permanent presence on the Moon could unlock significant scientific and economic benefits, from mining rare resources like helium-3 to serving as a launchpad for deep-space missions.
China’s experiment with lunar bricks is a foundational step toward realizing these ambitions. If successful, the technology could dramatically reduce costs and complexities, making sustainable lunar habitation a reality.
As the brick samples head to Tiangong for testing, the world will watch closely. The three-year exposure experiment represents a critical milestone in the ILRS roadmap. If the bricks prove durable under space conditions, it will validate the feasibility of constructing a lunar base using local resources, paving the way for a permanent human presence on the Moon.
While challenges remain, from technical hurdles to international competition, China’s determination and innovative approach have positioned it as a frontrunner in the new space race. As Zhou Cheng aptly put it, “It’s an obvious thing to try,” and one that could redefine humanity’s relationship with our nearest celestial neighbor.
China’s lunar ambitions are a testament to the transformative power of science and innovation. With the Moon as the next frontier, the race to build a base there is not only a technological challenge but a glimpse into the future of human exploration and cooperation in space.
