China Develops Lunar Soil Bricks for Moon Base

Chinese scientists have developed innovative bricks made from materials that mimic lunar soil, aimed at constructing the first lunar base by 2035. These 'lunar soil bricks' are reportedly three times stronger than conventional bricks and feature a design that allows for efficient interlocking assembly, similar to LEGO blocks. A cargo rocket will transport samples of these bricks to the Tiangong space station for testing their durability against extreme lunar conditions, such as harsh temperature fluctuations and cosmic radiation. The experiment is part of China's broader goal to land humans on the moon by 2030, with the bricks expected to undergo a three-year exposure test in space. The prototype bricks were developed using insights from soil samples collected by China's Chang'e-5 mission, the first successful lunar sample return in 40 years. This initiative reflects China's commitment to utilizing on-site lunar resources for construction to mitigate the high costs of transporting materials from Earth.