Chinese Scientists Planning to Build 3D-Printed Moon Buildings

Chinese Scientists Planning to Build 3D-Printed Moon Buildings

Chinese scientists are exploring the concept of building "egg-shaped" houses made of 3D-printed bricks on its future international lunar research station to offer astronauts a warm and stable living and working environment on the lunar surface.

According to the China National Space Administration (CNSA), the country plans to carry out lunar exploration in the future Chang'e-6, Chang'e-7 and Chang'e-8 missions during the first phase of construction of the research station. As planned, Chang'e-6 will be launched around 2024 to collect samples from the far side of the moon while Chang'e-7 will be launched around 2026 to carry out a detailed investigation into the environment and resources of the lunar south pole. Chang'e-8 will be launched around 2028 to conduct experiments on lunar resource utilization and to build a basic model of the International Lunar Research Station.

A blueprint for the station is taking shape at the National Center of Technology Innovation for Digital Construction in central China's Hubei Province. The innovative egg-shaped buildings named "Yuehuzun", or Moon Pot Vessel, designed by the Chinese scientists here are expected to host important space experiments in the long run.

The novel two-story structure features a design devoid of load-bearing beams or columns. At the apex of the "egg" structure sits a dome, while the "eggshell" body itself is divided into internal and external layers, between which a layer of ribbed structure is incorporated to enhance stability.

Credit: CCTV Video News Agency

Duration: 1 minute, 51 seconds

Release Date: Dec. 16, 2023

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