China's Moon Base to be Built in Volcanic Caves—How Safe is This Plan? Target Schedule and Other Details

But, the Chinese space designers explained why this initiative could benefit the Asian country, allowing it to have a more efficient long-term presence on the moon.

"The moon's south pole could become really crowded, and the extraction of water ice remains technically challenging," said Pan Wente, a Harbin Institute of Technology's Architectural Design and Research Institute assistant professor.

The researcher added that this is why China needs to explore other areas of the moon where they can build their lunar base.

China's Moon Base to be Built in Volcanic Caves

According to the South China Morning Post's latest report, Earth's natural satellite has the so-called underground lava tubes, which were created by the ancient volcanic eruptions' molten rocks.

The lava also leaves a hollow elongated shell behind after pouring out of the lunar volcanoes. These tubes can extend several kilometers.

They can also be tens of meters wide. Now, Pan said that these lava tubes are found across the moon.

Aside from offering alternative locations, he added that these lava tubes could act as natural shelters against extreme temperature and space radiation.

Pan further explained that China could visit these volcanic caves to build the Chinese lunar base. If this is true, the Chinese government will no longer need to rely on the overcrowded south pole.

China's Moon Base Status

As of press time, the Chinese lunar base called "Laurel Tree" is still in the early design phase. Pan said that this new man-made moon infrastructure would be pyramid-shaped.

Now, if ever this moon base is really constructed on the lunar volcanic caves, Wente expects that long-term stays will be better after 2035.

But, China may not be alone in its long-term presence moon efforts, as Interesting Engineering reported that the Asian country partnered with Russia.

You can click this link to see more details about their joint moon base plan.

On the other hand, China's array of telescopes is expected to be the largest to focus on the sun's explosions.

Meanwhile, the NASA Artemis 1 mission will send a lamb to the moon.

For more news updates about China's moon base and other similar space topics, keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

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Written by: Griffin Davis