Groundbreaking Lunar Construction Technology Revealed

At the 2025 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, Anhui Province, China has unveiled an astonishing innovation: a moon brick maker that transforms lunar dust into bricks. This machine, a first of its kind in the world, promises to revolutionize how we build on the moon.

Solar-Powered Bricks: The Future of Lunar Infrastructure

Harnessing the power of the sun, this cutting-edge device focuses sunlight to reach blistering temperatures of over 1,300 degrees Celsius, effectively melting moon soil to form durable bricks. The bricks produced on site could pave the way for essential infrastructure like roads and habitats, setting the stage for future lunar research stations and advancing China’s ambitions in deep space exploration.

Innovative Technology for Diverse Lunar Environments

Utilizing a sophisticated parabolic reflector, the machine concentrates solar energy to an intensity exceeding 3,000 times the norm, according to the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL) in Hefei. To ensure its effectiveness across different lunar soil types, researchers developed multiple simulated soil samples and conducted rigorous tests prior to finalizing the design.

China's Vision for Lunar Research Stations

This moon brick maker is a crucial component of China’s larger initiative— the International Lunar Research Station. This ambitious project aims to create a scientific facility both on the lunar surface and in orbit, with initial construction set for the lunar south pole by 2035. An extended model is planned for the 2040s, pushing the boundaries of our exploration efforts.

More Innovations Unveiled at the Convention

The four-day event in Anhui showcased other impressive technologies, including an ultra-lightweight reusable heat shield for rockets, a groundbreaking computational-lithography platform for chipmaking, and a non-invasive brain-computer interface acquisition system. These advancements highlight China’s commitment to leading the way in technological innovation and space exploration.