UCSD developing 'lunar cement' for space housing

Artist's conception of a lunar colony. NASA

NASA doesn't have any near-term plans to send humans back to the moon, but the space agency is exploring what it would take to construct a lunar dwelling in the event that such a mission becomes feasible. The space agency awarded $135,000 to UC San Diego structural engineer Yu Qiao for research on "lunar cement," which is a mixture of material that is similar to lunar soil and polymers. NASA has talked about someday using the moon as a manned research station, and possibly as a depot for astronauts traveling deeper into space. The idea is to use materials readily available on the moon to help construct living and work quarters for humans.