Scientists create solar panels from Moon dust to support space living

In recent studies conducted by researchers in Germany, significant progress has been made toward creating solar panels from materials sourced from the Moon. This initiative aims to facilitate future lunar exploration and habitation by enabling astronauts to construct their own energy solutions directly on the Moon. Researchers successfully utilized a substance designed to simulate lunar regolith to create a type of glass, termed moonglass, which was then combined with perovskite to build solar cells. This innovative method could potentially eliminate the need to transport heavy solar panels from Earth, thus significantly reducing the mass and cost of space missions. The efficiency generally seen in solar cells designed for space often comes at a high cost, and the materials typically used, like glass or thick foil, contribute to the overall weight. Lead researcher Felix Lang from the University of Potsdam stated that by replacing the heavy Earth-sourced materials with those derived from the Moon, they could decrease spacecraft mass by as much as 99.4%. This drastic reduction not only lowers expenses by a comparable percentage but also simplifies the logistics of constructing lunar bases or settlements. The key to this research lies in the ability of perovskites to convert sunlight into electricity efficiently and affordably. The researchers tested the radiation resistance of their solar cells by subjecting them to space-grade radiation to ensure their durability in a lunar environment. The findings indicate potential for significant advancements in the quality and feasibility of energy solutions in space, augmenting current technologies used for solar energy. Despite promising results, researchers caution about challenges that may arise from the Moon's unique environmental conditions. For instance, the lower gravity could affect the solar cells' formation in ways that currently need further investigation. Additionally, processing perovskites in the vacuum of the Moon poses another hurdle that must be addressed. However, these pioneering steps represent a crucial move toward sustainable living in space by utilizing resources available on the lunar surface.