The space rocks have landed

ESA scientists have investigated how a future moon base could be built from materials on the moon’s surface. Inspired by building with LEGO, they used dust from a meteorite to 3D print ‘space bricks’ to test the idea. ESA’s space bricks will be on display in selected LEGO Stores from June 20 to September 20, helping to inspire the next generation of space engineers.

The idea seems simple. Instead of transporting building materials all the way to the moon, we could use what is already there to build a lunar base. The surface of the moon is covered in a layer of rock and mineral fragments known as lunar regolith. This material could be used to make space rocks. The only problem was that there isn’t much lunar regolith available on Earth to experiment with.

Undeterred, ESA scientists came up with a solution: they made their own version of lunar regolith by crushing a 4.5 billion-year-old meteorite. The dust from the meteorite formed the basis of a mixture that was then used to 3D print some LEGO-style space bricks.

ESA’s space bricks click together in the same way as regular LEGO bricks, but are a bit rougher (and only come in one color): stylish space gray! The space rocks gave ESA’s space engineers the flexibility to build and test a variety of structures using this new material.

Scientists can learn through play just like children. The great thing about a flexible, modular building material like LEGO is that it promotes creativity, allowing you to try out ideas quickly and easily. ESA science officer Aidan Cowley said: “No one has built a structure on the moon, so it was great to have the flexibility to try all kinds of designs and construction techniques with our space rocks. It was both fun and useful in scientifically understanding the moon. limits of these techniques.”

A number of ESA space bricks are on display in selected LEGO Stores, to inspire children about space and encourage them to build their own LEGO moon bases. For some of these children, this could be the start of an imaginative journey that will one day lead them to become aerospace engineers.

Emmet Fletcher, Head of ESA’s Branding and Partnerships Office, said: “It’s no secret that real-world scientists and engineers sometimes try out ideas with LEGO bricks. ESA’s space bricks are a great way to inspire young people and show them how to play and the The power of imagination also plays an important role in space science.”

Visit the LEGO website for more information about ESA Space Bricks and the LEGO Stores where you can see them.