The Hoppers
Friday, 19 April 2024 14:17![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![The Hoppers - name and key visual for the ESA astronaut class of 2022](https://www.esa.int/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/images/2024/04/the_hoppers/26044662-1-eng-GB/The_Hoppers_card_full.jpg)
Orbex raises $20.8 million Series C extension
Friday, 19 April 2024 13:48Week in images: 15-19 April 2024
Friday, 19 April 2024 12:10![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![Ready to fly](https://www.esa.int/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/images/2024/04/ready_to_fly/26040631-1-eng-GB/Ready_to_fly_card_full.jpg)
Week in images: 15-19 April 2024
Discover our week through the lens
Sci-Fi Showdown at Space Symposium: Complete transcript of the Star Trek vs Star Wars debate
Friday, 19 April 2024 12:09Destination Earth goes live
Friday, 19 April 2024 11:00![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![Destination Earth (DestinE), is an initiative of the European Union, that aims to develop a digital twin, or replica, of our planet.](https://www.esa.int/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/images/2022/03/destination_earth/24017054-1-eng-GB/Destination_Earth_card_full.jpg)
Destination Earth goes live
Watch the event broadcast live from Finland on 10 June
Astra considered bankruptcy as it struggled to raise cash
Friday, 19 April 2024 10:44China to leverage growing commercial space sector to launch megaconstellations
Friday, 19 April 2024 10:03ESA and the EU agree to accelerate the use of space
Friday, 19 April 2024 09:56![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![Josef Aschbacher and Timo Pesonen sign an agreement to accelerate the use of space](https://www.esa.int/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/images/2024/04/josef_aschbacher_and_timo_pesonen_sign_an_agreement_to_accelerate_the_use_of_space/26042945-1-eng-GB/Josef_Aschbacher_and_Timo_Pesonen_sign_an_agreement_to_accelerate_the_use_of_space_card_full.jpg)
ESA will work closely with the EU to use space to improve life on Earth, following an agreement signed today by ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher (left) and the European Commission’s Director-General for Defence Industry and Space, Timo Pesonen.
Virgin Galactic proposes reverse stock split
Friday, 19 April 2024 09:42Earth from Space: The Mekong Delta
Friday, 19 April 2024 07:00![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![Earth from Space: The Mekong Delta](https://www.esa.int/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/images/2024/04/earth_from_space_the_mekong_delta/26037485-1-eng-GB/Earth_from_Space_The_Mekong_Delta_card_full.jpg)
Watch live: ESA astronaut class of 2022 graduation ceremony
Friday, 19 April 2024 06:51Rare sighting of ‘doomed’ SOHO comet during solar eclipse
Friday, 19 April 2024 06:30![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![Photo of total solar eclipse](https://www.esa.int/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/images/2024/04/rare_sighting_of_doomed_soho_comet_during_solar_eclipse/26040011-1-eng-GB/Rare_sighting_of_doomed_SOHO_comet_during_solar_eclipse_card_full.png)
Suppliers struggle as military embraces small satellites
Thursday, 18 April 2024 20:00Researchers quantify the ideal in situ construction method for lunar habitats
Thursday, 18 April 2024 18:28![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![Based on the technical mechanisms of bonding and cohesion between particles, regolith solidification and formation technologies can be categorized into four groups: reaction solidification (RS), sintering/melting (SM), bonding solidification (BS), and confinement formation (CF) methods. Credit: Charun Bao From dreams to reality: unveiling the ideal in situ construction method for lunar habitats and paving the way to Moon colonization](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800a/2024/from-dreams-to-reality.jpg)
As the lunar exploration mission evolves from exploration to construction and utilization, in situ lunar construction becomes an imperative requirement. The key is regolith solidification and formation, aiming to maximize local resource utilization while minimizing transportation and maintenance costs.
Nearly 20 techniques have been employed for preparing regolith-based construction materials, each with distinct requirements and capabilities. Professor Feng from Tsinghua University has conducted a comprehensive review, precise classification, and quantitative evaluation of regolith solidification and formation techniques, shedding light on key challenges and future development directions.