Lunar Surface Stabilization via Sintering or the Use of Heat Cured Polymers
Abstract
Two potential methods for lunar surface stabilization are: 1) sintering the regolith into a solid and 2) using heat or UV cured polymers. Sintering, a method in which powders are fused into a solid, has been proposed as a way of building lunar launch pads, roads and other building materials. Polymers are currently used by the military to stabilize sandy soils, and adaptations of this technology may be effective for lunar surface stabilization. This paper describes ongoing work at NASA Kennedy Space Center on these two technologies. A solar concentrator has been built to provide the heat source for sintering. Various solvent free polymers have been investigated. Results of physical testing, including load strength and abrasion resistance, on field and laboratory prepared samples are presented.
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Hintze et al. constructed a 1 m2 solar concentrator that produced a highest measured temperature of 1350°C, well above the temperature required to melt JSC-1 regolith simulant.
“Hintze et al. [155] constructed a 1 m 2 solar concentrator, comprising a Fresnel lens installed on a frame designed to track the sun and collect solar energy for sintering JSC-1 regolith simulant. The highest measured temperature produced by the concentrator was 1350 ◦ C, well above the temperature required to melt the regolith simulant.”
From A comprehensive review of lunar-based manufacturing and construction (2024) · cites this paper as [155]
For the solar sintering, solar concentrating approaches should be applied to reach the needed high temperature, e.g., by means of Fresnel lens or mirrors.
“For the solar sintering, solar concentrating approaches should be applied to reach the needed high temperature, e.g., by means of Fresnel lens or mirrors. 61”
From Energy system and resource utilization in space: A state-of-the-art review (2024) · cites this paper as [61]
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References 14 · Cited by 69
- Authors
- Hintze, P., Curran, J., & Back, T.
- Affiliations
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US)
- ASRC Aerospace, NASA
- ORCID
- Hintze, Paul
- Venue
- 47th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting including The New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition
- Published
- 2009-01-05
- OpenAlex
- W2313589944
- Cited by
- 69
- References
- 14
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 5.18
- Type
- conference paper
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Planetary Science and Exploration
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Civil and Structural Engineering › Soil Mechanics and Vehicle Dynamics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Civil and Structural Engineering › Geotechnical and construction materials studies
- Keywords
- sintering, lunar regolith, lunar construction, solar concentrators, abrasion resistance
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