Dreams Come True: NASA Designs 'Bubble City' Settlements On The Moon

A colony to be dammed on the Moon by NASA (@nasa)

JAKARTA - The United States Space Agency (NASA) has revealed a futuristic concept that has the potential to change the future of human life outside the Earth. Through the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program, this institution plans to build a glass dome-shaped habitat on the Moon by utilizing lunar dust (regolith) as the main ingredient.

This ambitious plan aims to create sustainable and efficient long-term housing, without the need to transport heavy material from Earth. The regolith, a mixture of dust, rock, and minerals on the Moon's surface, will be melted and formed into a giant glass bubble powerful enough to accommodate astronauts, laboratories, and even small communities on the Moon.

The concept was developed by space engineering company Skyports, founded by Dr Martin Bermudez. He takes advantage of the high silicate content on lunar dust to build a transparent self-environment.

"You'll never be able to imitate Earth, but this is something close enough. In fact, one day it can be applied in orbit," said Dr Bermudez.

The manufacturing process begins by collecting natural glass flakes from regolith, then melted using a smart microwave furnace, a tool that functions like a microwave but is designed for extreme conditions on the Moon.

The melting liquid material will be blown into a large closed bubble that hardens into a transparent and strong glass dome after cooling. Skyports has successfully demonstrated a mini version of this technology, resulting in a few-inch diameter glass ball.

The next target is to increase production to reach a 1,600-foot diameter structure (about 487 meters) which is large enough to be used as permanent shelter for astronauts. To increase resistance, the lunar glass will be mixed with metals such as titanium, magnesium, and calcium.

The material is even designed to improve itself through a special polymer capable of closing cracks due to micrometeorites or lunar earthquakes. The round shape is chosen due to its efficiency and natural strength in low gravity.

The interior of the dome will utilize 3D printing technology (3D printing) to make walls and furniture using local materials from the Moon. The solar panels on the outside will be the main energy source, ensuring occupancy remains environmentally friendly.

Some designs also propose temperature-graded glass layers, enabling condensation processes and growth of plants inside the dome. This not only creates oxygen, but also provides fresh food sources for astronauts.

For NASA, the biggest advantage of on-site construction is cost efficiency and logistics. Transporting material from Earth to the Moon is very expensive, so utilizing local resources becomes a realistic long-term solution.

Dr Bermudez envisions the formation of glassy cities on the Moon connected by transparent bridges, creating a futuristic habitat network on the surface of the Moon.

"This project combines architecture, science, and imagination to enable life in other worlds," said Bermudez.

If successful, this glass dome technology not only opens the way for human colonies on the Moon, but also becomes the foundation for future settlements on Mars and space orbits, a major step in human evolution towards space life.