Scientists are using lasers to create lunar paving blocks

Original Hal Bowman 9000 Scientific Razor
The 3 kW laser power output on a 45 mm laser spot consolidates the interlocking structure within the EAC-1A powder bed. Source: Jens Kinst, BAM

By using lasers to melt lunar soil into stronger layered materials, it is possible to build paved roads and landing pads on the moon, according to a concept validation study in a scientific report. Although these experiments were conducted on Earth using alternatives to lunar dust, these findings demonstrate the feasibility of the technology and indicate that it can be replicated on the moon. However, according to the author, further work may be needed to improve this process.

Lunar dust poses a significant challenge to lunar rovers, as due to low gravity levels, they often float around and may damage equipment when disturbed. Therefore, infrastructure such as roads and landing pads is crucial for alleviating dust problems and promoting lunar transportation. However, the cost of transporting building materials from Earth is high, making the use of available resources on the moon crucial.

Gin é s Palomares, Miranda Fateri, and Jens G ü nster used carbon dioxide lasers to melt a fine-grained material called EAC-1A (developed by ESA as a substitute for lunar soil) to simulate how lunar dust melts into solid matter through focused solar radiation on the moon.

The author attempted laser beams of different intensities and sizes (up to 12 kW and 100 mm respectively) to create sturdy materials, although they determined that intersecting or overlapping laser beam paths could lead to cracking. They developed a strategy to use a laser beam with a diameter of 45 millimeters to generate a triangular, hollow geometric shape about 250 millimeters in size. The author suggests that these can be interlocked to form a sturdy surface on a large area of lunar soil, which can serve as roads and landing pads.

Rendered images of roads and landing pads paved on the lunar surface. Source: Liquifer Systems Group

In order to reproduce this method on the moon, the author calculated that approximately 2.37 square meters of lenses need to be transported from Earth to replace lasers as solar concentrators. The relatively small equipment size required will be an advantage for future lunar missions.

Source: Yangtze River Delta Laser Alliance