Get ready, moon enthusiasts! China is stepping up its game by planning to 3D-print bricks on the lunar surface using local lunar dirt in an ambitious mission set for 2028.

The Chang'e 8 mission is designed to be a pioneering venture toward establishing the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), which could revolutionize not only lunar exploration but also future human habitation on the moon!

One of the biggest challenges of lunar exploration is the astronomical cost of transporting materials from Earth. But fear not! Chang'e 8 aims to flip the script by harnessing in-situ resource utilization—essentially using materials found on the moon itself. This strategy could drastically cut costs and expand the horizons of what’s possible for lunar missions.

Wu Weiren, the chief designer of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program, recently announced, "We have developed the world's first device to produce bricks made from lunar soil. This innovative system uses sunlight, collecting solar energy and sending it to the moon via fiber optics." He elaborated that by concentrating sunlight, they can achieve extreme temperatures between 1400 to 1500 degrees Celsius (about 2,552 to 2,732 degrees Fahrenheit) that are crucial for melting lunar soil.

Once heated, this molten material can be shaped into bricks of various sizes using advanced 3D printing technology. Wu added, "This process allows us to tap into lunar resources, eliminating the need to transport water or other materials from Earth."

A successful test of this technology could pave the way for more ambitious building projects on the moon. This isn't a first, either; China has already sent samples made from lunar soil simulant to its Tiangong space station to test their durability against the harsh conditions of outer space. These samples will stay exposed for three years, testing their resilience in extreme temperatures, radiation, and vacuum.

But don't blink! Before Chang'e 8 takes off, China has plans to launch Chang'e 7 in 2026. This mission will focus on exploring the moon's south pole to search for water ice, a potential source for drinking water, oxygen, and even rocket fuel!

Wu commented, "If water is detected in the craters, this would represent a monumental achievement, reshaping our understanding of the moon's resources!"

These ambitious plans are the latest in a series of successful missions that highlight China's commitment to lunar exploration, following up on various orbiter, lander, rover, and sample return missions—including last year's remarkable Chang'e 6 mission.