Lunarcrete: Concrete for the Moon Explained

As the United States and China compete to establish long-term bases on the moon, scientists are actively researching suitable construction materials. These materials must protect lunar inhabitants from dangerous radiation and extreme temperature variations. One promising solution is a substance known as "lunarcrete," essentially concrete made using lunar resources.

Lunarcrete utilizes lunar regolith, the fine, grey soil covering the moon's surface, as its primary aggregate, replacing traditional sand and gravel. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. a significant challenge lies in finding a suitable binder. Traditional Portland cement relies on substantial amounts of water, a scarce resource on the moon. Therefore, researchers are focused on developing methods that minimize or eliminate water usage.

Several approaches are being explored. One option involves transporting cement (or another binding agent) from Earth and combining it with regolith, using minimal water and allowing it to cure within sealed lunar habitats. Another approach is sulphur lunarcrete, which involves melting sulphur, mixing it with regolith, and allowing the mixture to cool and solidify. Sulphur can act as a cement-like binder without the need for water, although it may soften at high temperatures. A third concept involves using microwaves or concentrated sunlight to heat the regolith, causing the grains to partially melt and fuse together, creating bricks.