NASA develops bio-based plastic mixed with simulated moon and Mars dust for in-situ manufacturing

By the Everything Space news desk · 29 Sep 2026 · written from the sources below

Image: Phys.org

The composite material could let astronauts fabricate tools and habitat parts on-site, cutting the need to ship supplies from Earth.

Researchers at NASA's Glenn Research Center have created a new composite material combining a biodegradable plastic with simulated lunar and Martian soil, aiming to support future manufacturing on the moon or Mars. The material could allow astronauts to produce needed items directly at their destination, reducing the amount of cargo that must be launched from Earth.

The plastic used as a base is grown by bacteria that can be fed with crew waste or carbon dioxide, according to research chemical engineer Allison Christy, who led the project along with a team of summer interns. The team found that mixing in simulated moon or Mars dust improved the plastic's strength and made it easier to process, while varying the amount and type of dust let them fine-tune its properties.

Samples made with mock lunar dust appear gray, while those incorporating simulated Martian dust take on a reddish hue, reflecting the different mineral compositions of the two simulants.

Potential applications include producing structural brackets, tools such as wrenches, and furniture for lunar or Martian habitats. Because crews on distant missions cannot bring every possible replacement part, having a versatile, on-site manufacturing material could help them repair or build equipment as needs arise, supporting NASA's broader goal of establishing a long-term presence on the moon.

The team is now looking into whether the material can also withstand exposure to the harsh conditions outside a habitat, on the lunar or Martian surface itself. It is currently being tested in Glenn's Lunar Environment Structural Test Rig, which evaluates how materials perform under extreme temperature swings.

Additional samples are set to fly on the upcoming Materials International Space Station Experiment 23 mission, where they will be exposed to the harsh environment outside the International Space Station to further assess their durability.

Written in Everything Space’s own words by our news-desk model from the sources above, and checked against them in code: every number in this report appears in its sources, and no sentence is copied from them.