A proof-of-concept study published in Scientific Reports has shown the potential of using lasers to melt lunar soil and create paved roads and landing pads on the Moon, utilizing available resources on-site. While the experiments were conducted on Earth using a lunar dust substitute, the results indicate that this technique could be feasible on the Moon. Nevertheless, additional research may be necessary to fine-tune the process, as suggested by the scientists involved.

Figure 1. Paving the Moon: A New Laser Approach to Creating Lunar Roads and Landing Pads

Figure 1 shows Scientific Reports has published a proof-of-concept study that shows how lasers might be used to melt lunar dirt and create a sturdy substance that could be used for landing pads and road construction on the moon. The investigation, which was carried out on Earth using a lunar dust substitute, suggests that the procedure is feasible to apply on the Moon, albeit certain adjustments are required.

Moon dust presents a substantial challenge for lunar rovers because, in the Moon's low-gravity environment, it tends to become easily airborne when disturbed, potentially causing damage to equipment. To address this issue and facilitate transportation on the Moon, establishing infrastructure like roads and landing pads is crucial. However, the high cost of transporting construction materials from Earth underscores the importance of utilizing the Moon's available resources for such purposes.

In their study, Ginés-Palomares, Miranda Fateri, and Jens Günster employed a fine-grained material known as EAC-1A, which was developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) as a substitute for lunar soil. They used a carbon dioxide laser to simulate the process of melting lunar dust into a solid substance through the focused solar radiation that would occur on the Moon.

The researchers conducted experiments with various laser parameters, including different strengths and sizes, ranging up to 12 kilowatts and 100 millimeters in diameter, respectively. Their objective was to create a durable material, although they observed that criss-crossing or overlapping the laser beam path resulted in cracking. To address this, they devised a strategy that utilized a 45-millimeter diameter laser beam to generate triangular, hollow-centered geometric shapes measuring approximately 250 millimetres in size. These shapes could be interconnected to form a solid surface over extensive lunar soil areas, which could potentially serve as roads and landing pads, as suggested by the authors.

To implement this approach on the Moon, the authors estimate that a lens with an area of roughly 2.37 square meters would need to be transported from Earth. This lens would serve as a sunlight concentrator to replace the laser used in the experiments. The relatively compact size of this equipment is seen as an advantage for future lunar missions.

Source:SciTechDaily

Cite this article:

Janani R (2023),Paving The Moon: A New Laser Approach to Creating Lunar Roads and Landing Pads,Anatechmaz,pp.892