Living Bricks: Meet the Bacteria That Could Shape Lunar Civilization

Indian scientists have unveiled a groundbreaking approach to lunar construction and maintenance, harnessing bacteria to build and repair bricks from moon dust. Here are the key highlights:

 

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru developed "space bricks" using the soil bacterium Sporosarcina pasteurii, lunar regolith simulant, and guar gum.

 

The bacteria produce calcium carbonate, acting as a natural cement that binds the lunar dust, forming sturdy bricks without the need to transport heavy building materials from Earth.

 

To address the challenge of lunar extremes—temperature swings, radiation, and micrometeorite impacts—the team tested a bacteria-based repair method. When cracks appear, a slurry of bacteria, guar gum, and regolith is applied; the microbes fill and seal the damage, restoring up to 54% of the brick’s original strength.

 

This self-healing property could be vital for the longevity and safety of future lunar habitats, offering a sustainable, cost-effective solution for both construction and ongoing maintenance.

 

The next step: IISc will send Sporosarcina pasteurii into orbit aboard India’s Gaganyaan mission to test its effectiveness in microgravity and space conditions.

 

Success could pave the way for self-sustaining, repairable lunar cities, drastically reducing reliance on Earth-supplied materials and enabling long-term human presence on the Moon.

 

Source: Business Today, New Atlas, Nature, Daily Galaxy, NewsBytes