The colonization of the Moon is achieved through a technology as old as humanity: blown glass. Dr. martin bermudez has come up with a revolutionary system that transforms this age-old art into an advanced solution for space habitat. Let's take a closer look at this project supported by NASA?
A futuristic vision
Designing habitation structures on the Moon represents a crucial challenge for the future of space exploration. And the company Skyports he developed a concept that seems to have come out of a novel by Arthur C. Clarke,en: a blown glass sphere rising from the lunar surface, capable of holding dozens of people.
The project has caught the attention of the NASA, which awarded a Phase I grant through the NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts (NIAC) to further develop the concept. Bermudez's vision combines functionality and aesthetics in an innovative design.
Blown Glass Lunar Modules: The Technical Challenges
The construction of this habitat presents several technical challenges. The structure is too large to be transported on a traditional lunar lander. Additionally, the Moon's lack of atmosphere requires creative solutions to the glassblowing process.
Bermudez proposes to use argon, transported from Earth, as the gas to create the spherical shape. Argon, being a low-reactivity noble gas, offers significant safety advantages during the high-temperature glassmaking process.
The advantages of the lunar environment
Paradoxically, the absence of atmospheric pressure on the Moon facilitates the formation of the blown glass sphere, requiring less pressure for the expansion of the structure. The material itself will not be pure glass, but a glass lattice with titanium or aluminum elements to increase its resistance.
Most of the necessary materials are already on the lunar surface. lunar regolith contains essential raw materials, including agglutinated, glass-like structures created naturally by the impact of micrometeorites.
Protection from micrometeorites
Micrometeorite impacts pose a significant threat. The proposed solution involves multiple layers of glass, separated by argon, similar to modern double-glazed windows. The spherical shape offers inherent advantages, distributing the impact force better than a flat surface.
Bermudez also suggests rotating the outer layer as an additional protective measure. This combination of strategies should provide the necessary safety for the structure’s inhabitants.
Blown glass spheres, not only Luna
Bermudez's vision extends beyond the Moon. Similar structures could be useful on Mars or asteroids, where microgravity would further facilitate construction. On Mars, such habitats might be particularly suitable on the top of theolympus mons, where the atmosphere is thinner and there is less erosion.
The concept represents a significant step toward creating sustainable and comfortable space habitats. As the team continues to refine the design and tackle technical challenges, we move ever closer to a future where living in space, perhaps “under glass,” is not only possible but aesthetically pleasing.
