GabyResearchers from the European Space Agency (ESA) recalled how they used to build various interesting objects with Lego blocks as children. Inspired by these memories, they developed a new building material for constructing structures on the Moon.
Space bricks, reminiscent of the famous Lego, are made from dust. meteorite 4.5 billion years old. It was discovered in 2000 in the northwest of Africa.
Meteorite dust acts as a substitute for lunar regolith – the loose material that covers the surface. Month Regolith is largely a product of meteorite impacts on Earth’s natural satellite.
Since there is a very small amount of regolith on Earth (samples of it were brought to our planet by the astronauts of the Apollo mission), scientists have settled on its optimal substitute.
The development of space bricks is part of ESA’s contribution to the international Artemis program, which aims not only to send astronauts to the Moon but also to establish a base there for their habitation.
However, experts believe that transporting materials from Earth is too expensive and labor-intensive. Therefore, they hope that lunar regolith can be used for the construction of bases and launch pads.
Laboratory work
This innovation will be part of the in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) program. It is being implemented by the EAC Spaceship group of ESA, based in Cologne, Germany.
The head of the EAC Spaceship laboratory, Aidan Cowley, explained that his team prefers “creative construction.” Thus, they came up with the idea of forming small blocks from space dust, similar to Lego bricks. After printing a certain number of these bricks, the researchers will test various construction methods.
“No one has ever built structures on the Moon, so we will have to think not only about how to build them but also what materials to use, as we cannot take any materials with us into space,” said Mr. Cowley.
In order to obtain material suitable for 3D printing The team crushed pieces of the meteorite into dust and mixed it with a small amount of polylactic acid (a type of biodegradable bioplastic), as well as with a “regolith simulant” – a mixture of earthly minerals that closely resembles the composition of lunar surface soil.
According to ESA, printing small blocks required quite a fine adjustment of the 3D printer. The bricks fit together in the same way as Lego blocks. The connecting system, familiar to every child, creates an extraordinarily strong bonding force, the publication reported. Dezeen .
“The result is stunning, and although the brick has a somewhat rougher appearance than usual, it’s important that the adhesive strength still works, allowing us to test our projects. It was both fun and useful,” summarized Aidan Cowley. Meanwhile, the Lego Group has showcased 15 ESA space cubes in its stores around the world. Company representatives hope to inspire children to build their own “space” objects.
The Artemis program has been underway since 2017, with the crew landing on the Moon scheduled for the end of 2026. As part of the program, the construction company ICON has also been working on 3D printing technology for the Moon. Meanwhile, the fashion house Prada has been designing space suits for Artemis. Additionally, Lockheed Martin, General Motors, and Goodyear have been developing the concept of a lunar spacecraft.
