Chinese scientists hold first conference to discuss building crewed moon base
- Around 100 researchers met in Wuhan to discuss plans to build infrastructure and the challenges they will face during the mission
- One leading scientist who took part said the plans are ‘essential for humanity’s quest for space exploration’ and also for ‘China’s strategic needs’
More than 100 researchers from domestic universities, research institutes and space contractors took part in the Extraterrestrial Construction Conference held at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan on Saturday.
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China’s Shenzhou 15 astronaut crew complete their first spacewalk
“Extraterrestrial construction is still at a very early stage. The purpose of this conference is to promote dialogue, gather ideas and form a consensus as the community moves forward,” said Ding Lieyun, a specialist in intelligent construction and chief scientist of the National Centre of Technology Innovation for Digital Construction at the university.
“Eventually, building habitation beyond the earth is essential not only for all humanity’s quest for space exploration, but also for China’s strategic needs as a space power,” Ding told China Science Daily during the conference.
Ding’s team had previously proposed moon base designs such as the egg-shaped Lunar Pot Vessel, which is made of bricks based on moon soil created using 3D printers and lasers.
