NASA said on September 29, 2026 that researchers at its Glenn Research Center in Cleveland have developed a new material, made by mixing a biodegradable plastic with simulated Moon and Mars dust, that could be produced directly on the lunar or Martian surface for manufacturing during future missions.
What the material is
According to NASA, research chemical engineer Allison Christy and a team of summer interns at NASA Glenn — Tyler Klinchuch, Ethan Bilodeau, and Emma Levenson — mixed a special plastic with simulated Moon and Mars dust to create the material.
The agency said the plastic is biodegradable and could be produced by bacteria fed with crew waste or carbon dioxide. "The plastic literally grows within the bacteria's little bodies," Christy said. "It's really cool."
NASA said microscope photos reveal the material's colorful, kaleidoscope-like crystal structure. A gray sample image shows material manufactured using mock Moon dust, while a reddish image shows material made with mock Mars dust.
Why NASA says it matters
The team found that incorporating simulated lunar and Martian dust particles into the plastic made it stronger and easier to process, NASA said, and that adding different types and amounts of dust allowed them to adjust the material's properties.
The agency said the material could be used to manufacture equipment inside future Moon or Mars habitats, such as structural brackets, wrenches, or chairs. By potentially enabling on-demand, fully recyclable fabrication with lunar surface material, NASA said it could help advance the agency's objective of a permanent Moon Base by reducing resupply needs and letting crews build and repair essential equipment on-site.
"You can't just bring everything with you to the Moon or Mars," Christy said. "If something breaks, you have to find a way to fix it with what you have. This is a very versatile material, which is a huge benefit."
Testing ahead
NASA said the material is now undergoing testing in Glenn's Lunar Environment Structural Test Rig to see how it holds up in extreme temperatures.
Several samples are also slated to launch aboard the upcoming Materials International Space Station Experiment 23 (MISSE-23) mission, where they will be exposed to intense conditions outside the station, the agency said. The team hopes to analyze whether the material could also be used outside in the harsh environments of the lunar or Martian surfaces.
The research is funded through NASA Glenn's 2026 Center Innovation Fund, which is managed by the agency's Research and Technology Mission Directorate.
Key facts and where they come from
- The material was developed at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland and could be created directly on the Moon or Mars.
Developed at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, the material could be created directly on the Moon or Mars, allowing NASA to pack fewer supplies
- The recipe combines a special plastic with simulated Moon and Mars dust.
mixed a special plastic with simulated Moon and Mars dust
- The plastic is biodegradable and could be produced by bacteria fed with crew waste or carbon dioxide.
This plastic is biodegradable and could be produced by bacteria fed with crew waste or carbon dioxide.
- Adding dust particles made the plastic stronger and easier to process, NASA said.
incorporating simulated lunar and Martian dust particles into this plastic made it stronger and easier to process
- Samples are being tested in Glenn's Lunar Environment Structural Test Rig and are slated to fly on MISSE-23.
The material is now undergoing testing in Glenn's Lunar Environment Structural Test Rig to see how it holds up in extreme temperatures.
- The work is funded by NASA Glenn's 2026 Center Innovation Fund.
This research is funded through NASA Glenn's 2026 Center Innovation Fund, which is managed by the agency's Research and Technology Mission Directorate.