Building on the Moon: China’s 3D Printing Mission

China’s plans to use additive manufacturing to construct buildings on the moon are becoming a reality. The countries aim to begin testing this technology during its upcoming Chang’e 8 mission, set to take place in 2028, will reportedly include an experiment to demonstrate the feasibility of 3D printing using lunar soil as a raw material. This ambitious plan represents a significant step forward in developing space exploration and using technology to support human habitation in space.

Scientists confirmed last week at a meeting in Wuhan that they are considering 3D printing blocks using lunar surface materials. The Chang’e 8 mission will oversee the project, which involves deploying a 3D printer on the moon’s surface, using lunar regolith as its building material. This regolith, essentially moon dust, is abundant on the lunar surface and has been identified as a possible source of materials for future lunar settlement.

Lunar soil particle micrographs brought back by the Chang’e-5 probe, displayed at an exhibition themed on lunar soil research achievements in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province on April 19, 2023.

According to the report, Ding Lieyun, a Huazhong University of Science and Technology scientist, demonstrated a six-legged, insect-like robot prototype termed a “super mason” that could assemble these printed bricks similarly to Lego parts. During the conference, Ding told China Science Daily, “Eventually, building habitation beyond the earth is essential not only for all humanity’s quest for space exploration but also for China’s strategic needs as a space power.”

The nation is developing its next lunar mission batch with Chang’e 6, 7, and 8. Chang’e 6 will launch to the moon in two years to collect and assemble samples, and Chang’e 7 will be deployed a year after in search of reusable recourses and water ice in shadowed craters, among other things. Then, In 2028, Chang’e 8 will lay some of the foundations for the more extensive International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) project, which may look something like the visualized illustration below:

What China’s space base could look like in the year 2030 (Photo credit: Getty Images)

The Turn to 3D Printing

While the specific 3D printing method for the project is still undetermined, Chinese researchers have proposed a technique that uses a laser to melt lunar soil and then solidify it into building blocks. These blocks could then be assembled into structures using robotic arms. Another potential method is a technology that was developed by a Chinese company called Winsun. Winsun has already successfully 3D printed buildings on Earth using recycled construction waste and a large-scale printer. The company believes that this technology could be adapted for use on the moon, potentially allowing for the rapid construction of lunar habitats.

Regardless of the specific method used, the 3D printing technology could offer a variety of benefits for lunar construction. For example, it could reduce the amount of material that needs to be transported from Earth, which can be costly and logistically challenging, as lunar regolith could be used as a raw material. Additionally, 3D printing could allow for greater flexibility in design, as structures could be printed to fit the specific needs of a given mission.

The use of 3D printing technology is not new to the space industry either. NASA, for example, has been exploring the use of 3D printing for space applications for several years. The agency has already successfully tested 3D printed rocket engine parts and is currently funding ICON’s $57 million project to construct on the moon, as well as exploring the use of 3D printing to create habitats on Mars.

China’s plan to use 3D printing technology to construct buildings on the moon represents a significant milestone in the development of space exploration and human habitation in space. If successful, this technology could create permanent lunar habitats that could support long-term human presence on the moon.  As we continue to explore the possibilities of space travel and human habitation in space, 3D printing technology will likely play an increasingly pivotal role in making these ambitious goals a reality.

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