Chang'e-8 lunar construction technologies Options

[Huguet]

The Chang'e 8 mission, in addition to scientific surveys and experiments, will test key technologies to lay the groundwork for the construction of a science and research base on the moon, Xinhua reported.

https://www.space.com/43000-china-moon-expl...earch-base.html
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-01/14/c_137743306.htm

http://www.esa.int/Highlights/Lunar_3D_printing
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_En...ith_3D_printing

"3D printing works best at room temperature but over much of the Moon temperatures vary enormously across days and nights lasting two weeks each. For potential settlement, the lunar poles offer the most moderate temperature range."

[Huguet]

http://www.planetary.org/blogs/guest-blogs...-for-china.html
Andrew Jones • January 23, 2019

"Towards a robotic lunar research base

The first open discussion of this new round of what could be 3 or 4 missions came at a Chang'e-4 mission news conference in Beijing last Monday.

Despite the numbering, the first of these missions could be Chang'e-7, which will, in the words of Wu Yanhua, vice administrator of the China National Space Administration (CNSA), attempt comprehensive exploration of the lunar South Pole, including analysis of topography, composition and the space environment.

Just as Chang'e-3 had a backup in Chang'e-4, a successful Chang'e-5 mission will mean Chang'e-6 would then be similarly repurposed for a more ambitious sample return mission, targeting either the lunar far side or south pole.

Chang'e-8 would then carry on the work of Chang'e-7 and additionally seek to test key technologies, such as 3D printing, with a view to establishing a what is being loosely described as a 'robotic research base' at the south pole, involving other countries—likely similar conceptually to ESA's 'Moon Village' concept."

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