LEGO Bricks Crafted From Meteorite Launch Building Possibilities Into Space

Image via European Space Agency

The European Space Agency (ESA) is taking a playful leap forward in lunar habitation with 3D-printed LEGO Space Bricks made out of a unique blend of  lunar regolith and meteorite dust. These interlocking bricks offer a glimpse into how we might build on the Moon, where traditional construction materials are scarce.

ESA’s Spaceship EAC initiative, focused on In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU), aims to create sustainable living and working conditions on the Moon. By using materials readily available on the lunar surface, astronauts could construct habitats, landing pads, and other infrastructure without relying solely on expensive, Earth-launched supplies.

But how do you 3D-print a LEGO brick from these unconventional ingredients? The answer lies in a 4.5-billion-year-old meteorite discovered in northwestern Africa. ESA scientists ground the meteorite dust to create their own version of lunar regolith.

Acquiring actual Moon dust is a logistical challenge, but meteorites, remnants of asteroids or comets that have fallen to Earth, offer a similar composition.

Image via European Space Agency

This mixture, combined with a small amount of thermoplastic polyester, allowed them to shape the bricks like classic LEGO pieces.

The moon bricks click together just like their plastic counterparts, albeit in a space-gray hue.

Though not currently intended for playtime on Earth or the Moon, the Space Bricks serve a vital purpose. They demonstrate the feasibility of 3D-printing interlocking structures from lunar materials and encourage play among researchers of the cosmic, just like LEGO bricks do with young earthlings.

“Scientists can learn through play, just like children. The beauty of a flexible, modular building material like LEGO is that it fosters creativity, allowing you to try out ideas quickly and simply,” the ESA acknowledges.

LEGO and space enthusiasts alike might be over the moon to know that a special batch of Space Bricks are up on display in select LEGO stores around the world this summer.

[via Space.com and Fast Company, images via European Space Agency]