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Astronauts on the International Space Station are testing construction methods on the Moon, mixing local materials to create cement in microgravity conditions

Written by Rafaela Fabris
Published 15/08/2024 às 21:37
Astronauts on the International Space Station are testing construction methods on the Moon, mixing local materials to create cement in microgravity conditions
Illustration of NASA astronauts at the lunar South Pole. Credit: NASA

Astronauts on the International Space Station practice cement mixing technique for lunar base in microgravity

Os astronauts da International Space Station (ISS) already have their eyes on the Moon, even before they come back over there. Aboard the ISS, they are experimenting with cement mixing techniques that could be used to build habitable bases on the Moon. This project is part of NASA's Artemis mission, which aims to not only return astronauts to the ground lunar, but also establish a permanent base there.

The experiment in International Space Station seeks solutions and ingredients for lunar construction as NASA plans to send astronauts to the Moon in 2026, through the Artemis program. The initial plan involves using a temporary base, but the ultimate goal is to create a permanent structure, using materials found in the lunar soil itself to reduce the costs of transporting materials from Earth to the Moon.

Astronaut Matthew Dominick performed an experiment aboard the International Space Station

Last Monday (August 12), NASA announced that astronaut Matthew Dominick carried out an experiment aboard the ISS, mixing only a simulated lunar with other materials and a liquid solution, the exact contents of which were not revealed. He placed the mixture in two bags, with a third bag containing hot water between them. All of this was stored in a convention, where it will remain until it is sent back to Earth on a future SpaceX cargo mission.

Astronauts on the International Space Station are testing construction methods on the Moon, mixing local materials to create cement in microgravity conditions
Astronaut Matthias Maurer, from the European Space Agency (ESA), investigates how concrete behaves in the absence of gravity, developing innovative techniques for future constructions on lunar and planetary surfaces. (Image credit: NASA)

Project devises how to build structures on lunar soil

This experiment is part of the Materials Science in Concrete Solidification investigation, which is testing different imitations of cement, water, sand, simulated lunar soil and other additives. The idea is not only to build sustainable structures on the Moon, but also to find viable alternatives to traditional cement, which requires a lot of energy and raw materials, as well as releasing carbon dioxide in the manufacturing process.

Tests on International Space Station

Building on the Moon is not it's so simple as it seems. In addition to all the difficulties in sending materials into space, the cement mixing process itself can present complications, such as air bubbles and porosity, which make the concrete more fragile. The hope is that these problems can be resolved through these tests in International Space Station, preparing the ground – literally – for future lunar construction.

The work of Astronauts na International Space Station is a crucial step towards the future of space exploration. If the tested techniques prove effective, we could be closer to seeing the first permanent constructions on the Moon, using resources from the lunar soil itself. This would not only lower costs, but also represent a milestone in human ability to adapt terrestrial technologies to the extreme conditions of space. The Moon could be humanity's next great construction site, and the ISS is the laboratory where we are carrying out the first tests of this new frontier.

About the Artemis project

Astronauts on the International Space Station are testing construction methods on the Moon, mixing local materials to create cement in microgravity conditions
On February 22, NASA science instruments and technology aboard Intuitive Machines' Nova-C lander, called Odysseus, touched down in the South Pole region of the Moon, marking the first U.S. return since Apollo 17. 

The Artemis Project is a NASA initiative that aims to take astronauts back to the Moon for the first time since the Apollo missions, which first took place between 1969 and 1972. Unlike previous missions, Artemis does not only intend to make temporary landings, but rather to establish a sustainable human presence on the satellite. The idea is to build bases where astronauts can live and work for long periods, using resources found on the Moon itself, such as water and soil, to create structures and even produce combustion.

In addition to exploring the Moon, Project Artemis is seen as an important step towards exploring Mars and other destinations in space. By testing new technologies and developing methods for living beyond Earth, NASA hopes to learn everything needed to send humans to Mars in the coming decades. The program also has a commitment to diversity, with the goal of taking the first woman and the first black person to the Moon, showing that space exploration It's for everyone. Thus, Artemis is an ambitious project that seeks to expand the limits of human presence in space, starting with the Moon and, eventually, reaching other planets.

And you, what do you think of these tests and the Artemis project? Are we going to return to the Moon in 2026 and build on lunar soil? Leave your opinion in the comments.

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Rafaela Fabris

Talks about innovation, renewable energy, oil and gas. Updates daily on opportunities in the Brazilian job market.

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