China is taking 3D printers to the moon – TechRadar

In an effort to realize lunar habitation, China is reportedly working on plans for 3D printers to make use of the existing materials on the moon.

During the pandemics first year, the Peoples Republic received its first lunar soil sample as part of the Change 5 mission, leaving scientists and astronomers to study the potential of lunar colonization.

By the end of this decade, China hopes to have completed its Change 6, 7, and 8 missions, collecting a second sample, targeting the moons south pole, and looking for reusable resources, respectively.

Change 8 specifically is designed to explore resources that the country would be able to use for building purposes with its chosen method: 3D printing.

Studying the mineral composition and availability of other resources will give scientists an indication of what may be possible remotely, from Earth, giving the country a chance to draw up plans ahead of broader lunar travel.

Furthermore, China looks to be contemplating technologies whereby humans are not required - such as 3D printing - which would allow liveable structures to be assembled ahead of peoples arrival.

The report comes from Communist Party-owned China Daily (via Reuters (opens in new tab)), which quotes China National Space Administration scientist Wu Weiren: If we wish to stay on the moon for a long time, we need to set up stations by using the moon's own materials.

The Change 8 mission is also reportedly preparing to launch a robot that will be able to build lunar soil bricks as the Republic continues to intensify its space program.

Recently, Russias Roskosmos has been struggling as the country battles sanctions imposed on it by nuemerous Western governments, while NASA has also drawn up plans for lunar exploration in the coming years.

Read the original here:
China is taking 3D printers to the moon - TechRadar