Innovative Lunar Colonization: Utilizing Urine for Construction
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Chapter 1: The Role of Urine in Lunar Colonization
The prospect of establishing colonies on the Moon or Mars may hinge on an unexpected resource: human urine. A recent study suggests that the waste we dispose of on Earth could significantly contribute to the creation of permanent habitats in space. Urea, a compound extracted from urine, has the potential to act as a plasticizer in concrete, making it suitable for constructing living spaces. Large-scale 3D printers could be employed to shape this concrete into the necessary structures.
Both the European Space Agency and NASA, alongside their Chinese counterparts, have set ambitious plans to establish bases on the Moon over the next several decades. These bases, primarily located near the Moon's south pole, are intended to serve as launch points for further human exploration of Mars and the inner solar system.
The construction of lunar and Martian habitats could leverage materials sourced from human urine combined with lunar regolith, shaped by 3D printing technology to create durable homes for the first permanent space inhabitants. Image credit: ESA, Foster and Partners.
However, space travelers face numerous challenges, including radiation exposure, meteorite impacts, and extreme temperature fluctuations. To mitigate these threats, substantial infrastructure is required, raising practical concerns about transporting materials from Earth to the Moon. Increasing mass in a spacecraft demands more powerful engines and additional fuel, escalating costs significantly. Currently, launching just one pound of mass into space costs approximately $10,000. By utilizing lunar regolith as a construction material, the costs of these missions could be drastically reduced.
“All necessary ingredients for geopolymers could potentially be sourced on the lunar surface, which is why the material might be an efficient construction material for infrastructure on the moon… Since urea is the second most abundant component in urine (after water), it is readily available anywhere there are humans,” researchers explained in the Journal of Cleaner Production.
By employing urine as a plasticizer, we could produce building materials directly on the Moon. Ideally, the water needed for this process would also come from lunar ice deposits.
“To create the geopolymer concrete for use on the Moon, the concept is to utilize local resources: regolith and water sourced from ice deposits in specific areas,” elucidated Ramón Pamies, a professor at the Polytechnic University of Cartagena (Murcia).
Section 1.1: 3D Printing Innovations for Lunar Bases
Researchers at Østfold University College in Norway have pioneered a method of using 3D printers to combine urea—a principal element of human urine—with synthetic regolith crafted by the European Space Agency (ESA). This combination enabled the printer to fabricate columns that resemble materials suitable for construction on the Moon.
These columns underwent heating to 80 degrees Celsius (176 degrees Fahrenheit) and were subjected to heating and cooling cycles, mimicking the conditions they would face on the lunar surface. “The samples containing urea or naphthalene-based superplasticizers exhibited the capacity to bear significant weights shortly after mixing, while maintaining a stable shape,” Pamies reported in a February article.
Several teams worldwide are investigating various methods for constructing lunar colonies, many of which focus on employing 3D printers to assemble base colonies before any human presence. Such robotic construction crews would significantly reduce both the risks and costs associated with building infrastructure.
The first video titled "Secret ingredient for Artemis moon bases" explores the innovative use of urine in lunar construction.
The second video, "Building a lunar base out of Moon dust," discusses utilizing lunar materials for sustainable construction.
Once human presence is established on the Moon, the entirety of human urine—including its various components—could be harnessed for the development of long-lasting habitats. “We have not yet determined the methods for extracting urea from urine, as we are currently evaluating whether this is necessary. Other components in urine might also contribute to forming the geopolymer concrete. The water present in urine could be combined with that sourced on the Moon or derived from both sources,” stated Anna-Lena Kjøniksen, a researcher involved in the study.
In 2009, the International Space Station (ISS) upgraded its facilities to accommodate six crew members, installing a filter capable of converting urine into potable water. This recycling capability has significantly reduced astronauts' dependence on resupply missions.
A key aspect of colonizing the Moon, Mars, and beyond may hinge on a process as natural as urination. This simple biological function could play a vital role in humanity's venture into space.
James Maynard is the founder and publisher of The Cosmic Companion. He resides in Tucson with his wife, Nicole, and their cat, Max.
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