Basalt fiber composites for the robotic fabrication of a lunar habitat
- Paper ID
68749
- author
- company
ETHZ; European Space Agency (ESA); Advanced Concepts Team, ESA
- country
Switzerland
- year
2022
- abstract
This study investigates the mechanical properties of a novel composite for a lunar space habitat. The research aims to identify a robotically fabricated solution for a high-mechanical strength shell with in-situ resources. We manufactured composites from several basalt fiber types and geopolymer matrices. The effect of the basalt fiber type, chopped, spooled, and long, and fiber percentage, 1 wt\%, 5 wt\%, and 10 wt\%, was investigated. The samples were initially exposed to a maximum lunar environmental temperature (117°C) and a medium vacuum (0.01 atm) for 24 hours. Then, they were tested for flexural and compressive strengths until failure occurred. The experiments have proven a successful consolidation between the basalt fibers and the geopolymer matrix. Furthermore, the 10\% chopped basalt fiber and the 5\% long basalt fiber composite proved to be the most promising combination for mechanical strength. These composites demonstrated an improved compressive and flexural strength for the geopolymer-based cement slurry. Moreover, this study enables the robotic fabrication potential of a mechanically resilient lunar habitat.