Are We on the Cusp of Building an 'Egg-Shaped' Home on the Moon?

Chinese researchers have embarked on an audacious project that could revolutionize lunar habitation: crafting an egg-shaped home on the moon using an age-old Chinese woodworking technique known as mortise and tenon joints. The bold design aims to harness lunar bricks created from simulated lunar soil, recently sent to the Chinese space station aboard the Tianzhou-8.

According to reports from China Central Television (CCTV), the dedicated team is exploring the traditional building method to ensure that their extraterrestrial construction is not only feasible but sustainable. Mortise and tenon joints, celebrated for their strength and durability, could provide the structural integrity necessary to withstand the moon’s extreme environment.

The moon continues to capture the imagination of scientists and space enthusiasts alike, serving as a focal point for international lunar exploration efforts. Nations across the globe are laying their plans for establishing long-term human presence on the moon, creating a surge of excitement in space exploration. China's aspirations are especially ambitious, with a goal of landing taikonauts on the lunar surface by 2030 and establishing a lunar research station by 2035.

At the forefront of this lunar initiative is a laboratory sandbox set up at the National Digital Construction Technology Innovation Center at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan. Led by Academician Ding Lieyun, the team is conducting rigorous experiments to determine the most suitable architecture for constructing a lunar base.

After testing various architectural styles—dome structures, arches, and columns—the researchers ultimately selected a “lunar pot” double-layered dome design. This innovative structure addresses the significant challenges posed by lunar construction: high radiation levels, extreme temperature fluctuations, and an uneven surface, making construction a daunting super-engineering activity.

Ding explained how the “lunar pot” not only maximizes space and offers robust thermal insulation, but it also minimizes material use, which is crucial given the limited resources available on the moon. The design features two distinct levels—one for working and one for resting—while its innovative shape, reminiscent of an upright eggshell, reinforces its structural resilience.

The research team draws inspiration not only from modern science but also from traditional Chinese architecture. By employing ancient mortise and tenon techniques, they hope to combine lunar soil to create bricks that will be structurally sound and efficient for construction. The robots will assist in building, while 3D printing technology will provide additional reinforcement to ensure stability against lunar challenges.

Ding shared that the seeds of this lunar habitat concept were planted back in 2015 when he began analyzing data from the US Apollo missions. Those studies provided crucial insight into the moon’s surface characteristics and mineral composition. With the recent collection of fresh lunar samples through China's Chang'e-5 mission, the researchers now feel they can confidently advance their designs without starting from scratch.

He emphasized the importance of sharing their findings with the global scientific community, stating, "That's why we publish our papers — essentially it's to share our findings with all of humanity."

As an exciting next step, the lunar bricks that arrived at the Chinese space station will undergo space exposure experiments to test their building viability on the moon. The results of these groundbreaking experiments will pave the way for further lunar construction initiatives, with the first lunar brick expected to return to Earth by the end of 2025.

Could this ancient construction method hold the key to humanity's future on the moon? As researchers push the boundaries of innovation, the dream of lunar living may soon become a reality. Stay tuned as we continue to follow this extraordinary journey into extraterrestrial architecture!