BEIJING—In a pioneering step toward establishing a research base on the moon, Chinese scientists are set to test bricks made from simulated lunar soil by sending them into space aboard the Tianzhou-8 cargo spacecraft next month, aiming to evaluate their resilience in extreme extraterrestrial conditions.

According to Anadolu Agency as reported by the South China Morning Post, the sample bricks, developed by researchers at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, will be tested for their durability against the harsh environment of space. This initiative is part of China’s ambitious plan to construct the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) near the moon’s south pole by 2035, focusing on scientific exploration and resource development.

Ding Lieyun, a professor of intelligent construction at the university, highlighted the superior strength of the bricks, noting that they can be baked to a hardness of 100 megapascals, significantly stronger than typical concrete used on Earth. Over a three-year period, the bricks will undergo rigorous testing to observe how they degrade under conditions of radiation and temperature fluctuations, providing crucial data on their potential for lunar construction.