ESA’s LEGO-Inspired Space Bricks Could Cut Lunar Construction Costs by Tapping Moon’s Own Resources with 3D-Printing

Rahul Somvanshi Rahul Somvanshi

[{"selector":"#anim-916cd98b-f3f3-4efb-ae8a-b3f0b0ef6adf","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6154acbf-9277-4976-bf69-500a1551dda1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -100.04554%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-63b55649-62df-4dce-a355-289b7377ec3d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-27d51445-dee9-441a-b87e-1e9d4aba1808","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.18988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-67fab0a6-5c32-4cf3-9a38-822709ea4f9f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-025df3cb-b2f2-4928-8d5b-2163553a0878","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(102.24718%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4800c9c3-ab9a-4029-b5e1-9c427dffdb46","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-90019f4c-9203-4786-b696-c1ad8a267ce7","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] ESA’s LEGO-inspired bricks are designed to cut lunar construction costs significantly—discover how local Moon materials are being utilized. Photo Source : ESA Photo Source : ESA

Antimicrobial finishes

[{"selector":"#anim-8c3b6ccc-5300-4d30-852d-09da9355c479 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-32.53796010690846%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-49ee1e2b-226e-4966-944c-4dda384845e8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":999,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9cfb3f15-a663-451d-a0d0-1aa746631246","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fc0c3ad3-ab39-4f25-891d-e1197d73f728","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.18988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1e4bbacf-8064-4b88-9ff1-18811d71662f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1cb594a7-a728-4ca8-a40d-923b40f41a92","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] 3D-printed space bricks could be the key to building durable habitats on the Moon, but what makes them so unique? Photo Source : ESA Photo Source : ESA

[{"selector":"#anim-25506800-701b-4754-ad5c-d8172b40356e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cfa065ff-1635-47f2-84eb-219b337327e0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -100.04554%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2ef2fe42-4b1f-403d-952d-04f35eb9ce2e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8f6f81ec-c309-4530-a5b3-b36b0671cf54","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.92356%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7fc861b6-dce8-408a-8ea9-cb906c805747","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(102.24718%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-118325ea-176e-4c6d-9384-f2ccb9308822","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-43f1aaf3-8322-4432-a729-fc5ba011dc41","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-23be4b53-1ce3-4887-85ad-f1bf6b5c30d8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Imagine reducing the need for Earth-based materials by tapping into what’s already available on the Moon. Photo Source : ESA Photo Source : ESA

Antimicrobial finishes

[{"selector":"#anim-de7ae69b-1889-41a4-9cfd-779a4819d8c6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-39.95375350919795%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-146981d0-548a-4976-a1d6-7cf327eae714","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.77988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-86884614-5047-44a8-9f77-4364ea0ee159","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f5e8c7eb-1bab-41e4-b247-0b85441ed525","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8dc09094-ce90-465f-b0fc-76e8e0ecd844","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b0860603-a13e-4902-82a3-ad24fc52491b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":999,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn how ESA’s innovative approach with lunar regolith could change the future of space exploration. Photo Source : ESA Photo Source : ESA

[{"selector":"#anim-d682eba0-8e2d-4148-a336-f8f3d56019cc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e4054f0a-830f-4653-8456-d7b923932100","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -100.04554%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-94c86e7f-b1dc-4381-b652-80bbe74cd072","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5361c1bb-efab-413c-9146-8497dca8d8fe","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.92356%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6b858bdd-7135-40d8-b086-fb28e74e97c8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(102.24718%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4e613a93-aba9-417a-892c-09d231960184","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ba10a796-88e1-412a-86d2-f2d4d81bd599","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bb802fa3-f829-4d6a-bde2-bee315df2cab","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] These space bricks are more than just a concept—real materials are being tested and refined right now. Photo Source : ESA Photo Source : ESA

Antimicrobial finishes

[{"selector":"#anim-6fb4ad85-748d-44a7-9290-28f9a1d34c2f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-37.42816082145896%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-11944d2b-7231-45fe-8025-3d4622f3dd49","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.18988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-02540689-755f-45be-99ef-14cb1bbca6ad","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-411ae9c1-a93c-4894-9f60-7b41bc23d8a1","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dd346153-1a43-4f05-82ce-12c759e2c0c1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5508b317-32f2-4b6b-a80a-7b5729146a8a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":999,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Want to know why 87% of Gen Alpha kids are fascinated by space? It might have something to do with LEGO. Photo Source : ESA Photo Source : ESA

[{"selector":"#anim-aeb01eb2-54e0-4289-adc6-94cb63929605","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a200189e-3c11-471b-b1eb-f371569fd87f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -100.04554%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ba4194c8-83e3-479b-b44e-ff4a814c0398","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8d0d2cd9-9bdd-4eb5-9c26-ec78349ad229","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.50632%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6bfd8313-c288-42bb-8aff-39540cd5b418","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(102.24718%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8f6694b3-61d5-4ef7-b7ab-ddc62eb0c95f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6000b78f-cfbc-4c8a-bafe-09bb36baaddd","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ac5b57c4-fc01-46f4-b272-2b6c9a2c1deb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] A deeper look into how ESA’s collaboration with LEGO could inspire future astronauts and engineers. Photo Source : ESA Photo Source : ESA

Antimicrobial finishes

[{"selector":"#anim-b2640114-877b-4746-a752-ddd0b64fd310 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-24.95173310891082%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7ddbccb1-4ca6-457d-a669-c2a8d385dcdc","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.18988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9013d179-d0fa-4998-9a2f-7995e19e3eb7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5449dcef-44b0-4e27-93c1-8564dee924d5","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-47e0d496-b9c5-41fe-ad2c-26dc0fee6893","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dc1cab27-d931-4687-ac78-b4f5edd87bb1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":999,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The secret ingredient? Dust from a 4.5-billion-year-old meteorite, mixed with a thermoplastic polymer. Photo Source : ESA Photo Source : ESA

[{"selector":"#anim-c1740707-51ff-49c3-b1df-6cfd46db4294","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8c165185-c8bd-49a2-ae50-e835c3b3e081","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -100.04554%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1e515c58-36e9-468a-8ba6-ebfd0f88b1ab","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-aa094b40-79f7-4164-bb5b-05e398fdc608","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.97444%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-22858a96-5b96-4dcd-9013-ebc0a9ea9ea5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(102.24718%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dafb8147-c01e-41c7-afc2-2d5113ff4584","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8c4006c7-3cbf-4065-8f55-eed226a2ec82","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e425231b-5255-4045-83f2-706e4f3f31b4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Ready to see how these space bricks could make lunar bases a reality sooner than you think? Photo Source : ESA Photo Source : ESA

[{"selector":"#anim-b58b335b-662b-472c-ba86-8c6826208a8f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cdd7cc83-c759-4e58-ad56-3714f6811a99","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(-91deg) translate3d(0px, -54.75865%, 0) rotate(91deg)","rotate(-91deg) translate3d(0px, 0px, 0) rotate(91deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d696e310-6774-4dbe-8d5c-55a4d3e3bc7b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(116.88312%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c2923f8c-495b-4b94-bf94-4ca56b3e2a84","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-568d5fac-fa0c-4d40-aaab-914f8cb251f1","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-54e30d0c-99ad-46e0-8a4f-1b0b9527cec3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7061d2e0-df5a-422a-81eb-63a3147f06a8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -265.812%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-04ce5072-2781-4fb8-a492-b62fcce5c8f5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d33b3423-32c0-401f-a69d-8cb288d0e657","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(-89deg) translate3d(0px, -180.11696%, 0) rotate(89deg)","rotate(-89deg) translate3d(0px, 0px, 0) rotate(89deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-eb02f8cb-d0e6-4967-abaf-56b1b62794cb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9d035480-02e2-499c-97ab-a75ee1bbfc62","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.18988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] China's Mingyang Builds a 22 MW Offshore Wind Turbine Taller Than the Eiffel Tower With a Rotor Span of 310 Meters Learn more

ESA’s LEGO-Inspired Space Bricks Could Cut Lunar Construction Costs by Tapping Moon’s Own Resources with 3D-Printing

Antimicrobial finishes

Antimicrobial finishes

Antimicrobial finishes

Antimicrobial finishes

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