Lunar Construction – Novel Materials Production

The development of a permanent lunar base will require large quantities of construction materials for civil infrastructure such as launch pads, roads, dust control, tunnel linings and habitat radiation shielding.  Importing the quantities of materials required for civil structures is cost-prohibitive.  This research looks at the production of construction materials using only lunar dust, or regolith, and solar energy.  The regolith will be sintered, or melted and cast to produce lunar bricks. These bricks will then be bound together using a combination of interlocking units, laser welding and/or post-tensioning to produce civil structures.  The research will investigate optimal sintering or casting processes, viable unit shapes and effective welding regimes for the lunar environment by remote or automated construction.  

The technological readiness level of the proposed materials production technique will be raised to allow implementation on the moon within the next 20 years.