Astronauts can build a durable lunar base of cement mixed with urine on the Moon: ESA

Where NASA is planning on building a base on Earth's satellite, Moon, a recent study has found that astromer will one-day use human urine as a key ingredient in making concrete to build a habitat on Moon. research was conducted by European ncy and it says that Urea, which is commonly found in urine, is certainly a better option than or common plasticisers and this study may result in aiding next step towards exploration.

Astronauts to make concrete with ir urine in

research conducted by European ncy revealed many facts which are certainly eyebrow-raising. ncy found that urine would make mixture for lunar concrete more malleable before hardening it into a strong final shape. This would help astromers build a habitat without using scarce water. study also mentions that lunar concrete is similar to concrete made on Earth as it is a geopolymer mixture and thus adding urea helps build strong and more effective material than any or common plasticisers.

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ESA printed a urea-based mortar using a 3D printer and this revealed that a fresh sample of lunar concrete can be easily moulded. mixture is t only stronger but it also retained good workability which means it can retain its shape bearing weights that are up to 10 times heavier.

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Initiator and co-author of study from ESA’s Advanced Concepts Team, Marlies Arnhof, said that high strength of this new recipe compared to or materials is quite impressive, scientific community found it attractive as mixture can be created using what is already on Moon. study revealed that main ingredient to make lunar concrete would be powdery soil found everywhere on surface of Moon. This powdery soil is called as Lunar Regolith. This means that making concrete will be cost-effective and less time consuming as it will reduce need for launching huge volumes of supplies from Earth to build a habitat on Moon. w, after research, requirement for water has also be reduced for making material as astromers would be using urea as a super plasticiser.

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Marlies also mentioned that using urea is t only cheap but it is also readily available. She says that it also aids in making strong construction material for a Moonbase. scientists hope that shortly, astronaut urine could be essentially used to build a future lunar base, albeit, with mir adjustments to water content. 

All Ims from ESA.INT

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