Lunar missions are costly and the burden of transporting items to the moon is heavy, with every gram of cargo having to be lifted off Earth. Utilizing materials found on the moon for future lunar projects could reduce this burden, especially when it comes to constructing lunar habitats. Scientists from the European Space Agency (ESA) have been experimenting with creating LEGO-like bricks from space dust as a potential solution.
The ESA has created space bricks using a 4.5-billion-year-old material from a meteorite found in Northwest Africa, which have been produced using a 3D printer. While these bricks are not made from actual moondust but rather a simulant taken from a meteorite, they are still an important innovation in lunar construction. The space bricks can be stacked and assembled in various configurations, allowing scientists to test different construction methods and techniques.
This project by the ESA not only represents an exciting scientific breakthrough but also paves the way for potential future moon-base construction using locally sourced materials. The space bricks will be showcased in select LEGO stores from June 20 to September 20, giving the public a chance to see this innovative approach to lunar construction firsthand.
