China lunar brick machine brings moon construction closer as researchers make major strides in space building technology. A team in Hefei created a system that transforms moon soil into bricks using only solar power.
To begin with, scientists at the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory created a Chinese device that transforms moon soil into building bricks. This 3D printing system concentrates sunlight to heat the soil beyond 1,300 degrees Celsius. The extreme heat melts the particles, forming solid bricks without needing any added substances.
According to senior engineer Yang Honglun, the China lunar brick machine relies on a parabolic reflector. This dish gathers sunlight and sends it through a fiber optic bundle. Afterward, a precision lens focuses the light onto a single point. This point reaches extreme heat, which is enough to melt moon soil.
The bricks are dense, strong, and made entirely from local lunar materials. Therefore, they could support future construction tasks, including roads and equipment platforms. The idea behind the project is simple: China lunar brick machine brings moon construction closer by using what’s already on the moon, avoiding the need to transport building materials from Earth.
Moreover, the research team spent two years solving technical problems related to the Chinese brick-making technology. They worked on energy delivery, soil collection, and various lunar soil compositions. Because moon soil varies by location, scientists created many test samples. These were used to fine-tune the China lunar brick machine for optimal performance.
Even though the progress is impressive, more work remains. Building full lunar bases still requires extra parts and advanced techniques. According to Yang, bricks alone won’t support living spaces. So the plan includes combining the output from the Chinese moon brick system with rigid walls and inflatable structures.
In addition, the team plans to test the China lunar brick machine and its bricks under real lunar-like conditions. They must confirm the system works under low gravity and vacuum environments. This step is key to making permanent habitats in the future.
As of now, astronauts will test lunar bricks in space. These tests will check strength, heat resistance, and radiation protection. The results will guide the next phase of using China’s lunar soil printer on future missions.
China lunar brick machine brings moon construction closer by adding a vital piece to the puzzle of lunar infrastructure. With this advancement, China pushes forward in its efforts to build a functioning base on the moon’s surface.
China also leads the International Lunar Research Station project. Multiple countries now support the plan. Construction will happen in two stages, beginning at the moon’s south pole.
