Establishing a Sustainable Human Presence on the Moon: Myth or Imminent Reality ?

Research
30 Oct 2024

For centuries, humanity has been driven by an unquenchable thirst for discovery and exploration, particularly in space. The idea of traveling beyond our planet and conquering the universe continues to fascinate, with the Moon at the heart of these aspirations. Today, space agencies such as NASA and JAXA are seriously considering establishing a human presence on our natural satellite. NASA even plans to build lunar habitats by 2040. This ambition is not just an achievement in itself but also a crucial step toward exploring Mars—a planet that could reveal essential secrets about our own climate system.

A Technical and Scientific Challenge

Living on the Moon represents a colossal challenge for humanity. If the idea excites both experts and the general public, why has it not yet been realized? The answer lies in the technical and logistical challenges. Currently, there is no miracle solution, but promising avenues are being explored. One of the main approaches is the use of locally available resources, a concept known as “in-situ resource utilization.” Sending materials from Earth is costly and complex, making it crucial to exploit lunar resources to build habitats and extract essential elements such as oxygen, water, and helium-3.

Regolith: A Key Resource

Regolith, or lunar dust, plays a central role in these projects. Since the first lunar missions, samples of this dust have been brought back to Earth to study its properties. Today, experiments are underway to transform this dust into construction materials. Regolith, composed of oxides, can be used to extract various metals and be converted into bricks through techniques like 3D printing. These bricks could form the first lunar shelters, protecting astronauts from radiation and extreme temperature variations.

Challenges to Overcome

However, replicating lunar conditions on Earth is a challenge in itself. Lunar dust simulants and extreme conditions (with temperatures ranging from -248°C to 123°C, low gravity, and no atmosphere) must be recreated to test technologies. The European Space Agency (ESA) is working on automated methods using sunlight to produce lunar bricks without importing lasers.

Toward Autonomous Construction

The next steps include automating the production of lunar bricks. Autonomous systems could manufacture bricks in series, controlled from Earth. NASA’s Olympus project envisions sending a robot to the Moon to 3D-print structures using regolith.

Expertise for Earth and Beyond

These advancements are not limited to the Moon. The techniques developed for building in extreme environments could be applied on Earth, particularly in areas affected by climate change. Additionally, a lunar base could serve as a launchpad for missions to Mars, opening new perspectives for space exploration and international cooperation.

Mars: The Next Frontier

Mars represents the ultimate goal of space exploration. Understanding its history could shed light on the formation of the solar system and the existence of life in the universe. The discovery of microbial life on Mars would have profound implications for biology. Moreover, Mars exploration could inspire future generations to pursue careers in science and technology while fostering international collaboration.

Content of the op-ed by Grégoire Chabrol, researcher and Director of Research at Icam, Strasbourg-Europe Campus, revised by Mistral.AI.

Op-ed published on Les Echos website (subscribers only).

Photo credit: Freepik.