Astronaut Matthew Dominick displays a bag of simulated lunar cement

iss071e462520 (Aug. 12, 2024) NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick holds a bag of simulated lunar soil and other materials mixed with a liquid for Concrete Hardening, an ESA (European Space Agency) investigation that studies how lack of gravity affects concrete hardening and properties. Using local materials, such as regolith or dust, to build space habitats on the Moon could reduce the quantity of raw materials that must be shipped from Earth. Results also could provide insight into concrete strength and macroscopic properties to improve formulas for the 4 billion or so tons of concrete produced on Earth each year.