China to test out 3D printing technology on moon to build habitats

China will explore using 3D printing technology to construct buildings on the moon, the official China Daily reported, as Beijing solidifies plans for long-term lunar habitation.

In the 2020 Chinese lunar mission, the Chang’e 5, named after the mythical Chinese goddess of the moon, an uncrewed probe took back to Earth China’s first lunar soil samples. China, which made its first lunar landing in 2013, plans to land an astronaut on the moon by 2030.

Between now and then, China will launch the Chang’e 6, 7 and 8 missions, with the latter tasked to look for reusable resources on the moon for long-term human habitation.