When ancient craft meets deep space | Josh Simpson | TEDxBoston

Key Concepts

• Lunar Regolith: The loose surface material on the Moon, composed of dust, soil, broken rock, and other particles. Crucially, it’s approximately 50% silica.
• Silica (SiO2): The primary component of glass, found abundantly in lunar regolith.
• Flux: A substance added to silica to lower its melting point, enabling glass formation. Borax is specifically mentioned as an effective flux for low thermal expansion glass.
• Stabilizers: Substances like calcium and magnesium that prevent the glass from dissolving or degrading. Lunar regolith contains approximately 12% calcium and magnesium.
• NYAK (NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts Program): A NASA program funding early-stage, potentially groundbreaking research and development.
• Coefficient of Thermal Expansion: A physical property of a material describing how much it expands or contracts with temperature changes. Low expansion is desirable for lunar habitats.
• Monolithic Spherical Glass Enclosures: The proposed habitat structure – large, single-piece glass spheres designed to withstand the lunar environment.

Lunar Glass Habitats: Utilizing In-Situ Resources for a Permanent Lunar Presence

This presentation details a collaborative project between a glass artist with 50 years of experience and an architect, aimed at developing a method for constructing habitats on the Moon using lunar resources – specifically, lunar regolith. The project, funded by NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts (NYAK) program, explores the feasibility of creating glass structures directly on the lunar surface, drastically reducing the cost and complexity of transporting building materials from Earth.

The Lunar Environment & Challenges

The speaker begins by outlining the extreme conditions on the Moon, emphasizing its hostility to human life. Key characteristics include:

• Lack of Atmosphere: No air or weather protection.
• Low Gravity: Approximately 1/6th of Earth’s gravity.
• Extreme Temperature Swings: A range from +250°F to -240°F, representing a nearly 500°F difference between lunar day and night.
• Immediate Lethality: Exposure without a spacesuit results in instant death.

These conditions necessitate robust, self-sufficient habitats for any long-term lunar presence. Previous Apollo missions (six missions between 1969-1971, involving 12 astronauts) relied on small, cramped cabins, insufficient for a permanent settlement.

Utilizing Lunar Regolith for Glass Production

The core concept revolves around leveraging the composition of lunar regolith. Astronauts previously brought back 840 lbs of lunar rocks and soil, which have been extensively studied. Analysis reveals:

• 50% Silica (SiO2): The primary ingredient for glass.
• 12% Calcium: A stabilizer for glass.
• Magnesium: Another stabilizer for glass.

This composition means that two of the three essential components for glassmaking are already readily available on the Moon. The project focuses on determining the feasibility of transporting a relatively small amount of flux (approximately 20-25 lbs) to the Moon to combine with the regolith and create glass.

The Glassmaking Process & Initial Results

The artist, leveraging decades of experience, conducted a series of experiments in his studio in Western Massachusetts. He utilized an electrically powered furnace (chosen due to the potential for abundant solar power during the 14-day lunar day).

• Experimental Procedure: The process involved carefully weighing and mixing lunar regolith simulant with various fluxes, then melting the mixture in the furnace.
• Successful Glass Formation: After approximately 20 melts, a glass was produced that exhibited properties comparable to glass made on Earth.
• Iron Content & Color: The resulting glass contains iron, giving it a dark green hue – similar to the color of Coke bottles due to iron impurities in the sand used for their production.
• Borax as Flux: Borax was used as the primary flux due to its ability to create glass with a low coefficient of thermal expansion, crucial for withstanding the extreme temperature fluctuations on the Moon. This is the same flux used in Pyrex glass.
• Demonstration: The artist demonstrated the traditional glassblowing process, creating a sphere approximately one foot in diameter using the lunar regolith-derived glass.

Proposed Habitat Design: Luna Glass Structures

The architect, Martin Bermudez, designed a habitat structure based on concentric glass spheres. The proposed design incorporates several key features:

• Monolithic Spherical Enclosures: Large, single-piece glass spheres providing structural integrity and protection.
• Multi-Layered Construction: Concentric spheres with a gap between each layer filled with compressed argon gas for thermal insulation.
• Regolith Shielding: The inner sphere is surrounded by two outer spheres and filled with loose regolith to provide additional thermal and radiation protection.
• Central “Nest”: A self-contained living and working area within the inner sphere, equipped with environmental control systems, amenities, and spaces for living, working, exercise, and farming.
• Elevator System: A central core elevator connecting multiple floors via free-floating bridges.
• Microwave Melting Technology: The proposed furnace for melting the regolith will utilize microwave melting technology for energy efficiency and faster melting times. This furnace would be transported to the moon via a lunar lander.

NASA Support & Future Outlook

The project received a grant from NASA’s NYAK program, competing against 450 other applicants. The team presented an interim report to NASA in Philadelphia, where the concept was deemed “theoretically feasible.”

The artist acknowledges that significant challenges remain, stating, “making glass turns out to be the easy part.” However, the project represents a significant step towards realizing a permanent human presence on the Moon by utilizing in-situ resources. The artist also notes the personal connection to the project through his wife, a former NASA astronaut who carried his glass creations into space.

Concluding Remarks & Vision

The presentation concludes with a poetic vision of humanity’s future in space, emphasizing the importance of innovation and resourcefulness. The Luna Glass Structures project embodies this vision, offering a potential pathway to building sustainable communities on the Moon and beyond. The project is presented not just as a technical endeavor, but as a continuation of the legacy of exploration and a step towards a multi-planetary future.

Notable Quote: “Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could go to the moon and instead of bringing a 100 pounds of material to build something on our if we could bring out 20 20 lb or 25 lbs of flux and then use materials that are already on the moon to make a glass.” – The Glass Artist.