China plans to use its space exploration program to test the feasibility of using 3D printing technology to construct buildings on the surface of the Moon, the local press reported today.

The Chang'e-8 probe, whose launch date has not yet been announced, will have the mission of investigating the environment and mineral composition of the Moon, as well as checking whether 3D printing can be used on these surfaces, said scientist Wu Weiren, from the China Space Administration, quoted by the official English-language newspaper China Daily.

"If we want to be present on the Moon in the long term, we have to install stations using lunar materials," said the expert. Several Chinese universities, such as Tongji and Jiatong, have begun studying possible applications of 3D printing technology on Earth's natural satellite.

Chang'e-8 will be the third probe to land on Luna, in the next phase of China's lunar exploration program. Chang'e-6 and Chang'e-7 are due to be launched first.

The Chang'e program (named after a goddess who, according to Chinese legend, lives on the Moon) began with the launch of the first probe in 2007.

The Asian country has invested billions of dollars in its space program over the last few decades.

China sent its first astronaut into space in 2003. In early 2019, it landed a spacecraft on the far side of the Moon, a world first. In 2020, it brought back samples from the Moon and completed Beidou, its satellite navigation system, a competitor to the US GPS.

In 2021, China landed a small robot on Mars and plans to send humans to the Moon by 2030. (Sapo)