China advances plans for lunar greenhouse to support long-term Moon missions

Chinese engineers are preparing to study the construction of a greenhouse on the Moon’s surface, a development aimed at supporting future long-term exploration missions, according to the China National Space Administration.

According to the Xinhua News Agency, a partner of TV BRICS, the concept focuses on creating a controlled environment that would help rovers and robotic systems withstand the harsh realities of the lunar night, which lasts around 14 days and sees temperatures plunge to nearly minus 200 degrees Celsius. The proposed structure would rely on advanced surface construction technologies to provide protection and operational stability.

The initiative is part of broader efforts to enable sustained human and robotic presence on the Moon, as exploration programmes shift from short-term missions to longer-duration activities. Experts say such infrastructure could play a key role in maintaining equipment performance and extending mission lifespans.

The research builds on recent achievements from the Chang'e-6 mission, which successfully returned 1,935.3 grams of material from the far side of the Moon – a historic first in space exploration. Analysis of these samples has already provided new insights into the geological evolution of the Moon’s far side, marking a significant scientific breakthrough.

The mission also highlighted expanding international cooperation, carrying scientific payloads and collaborative instruments from multiple global partners. These joint efforts have delivered results that exceeded expectations, reinforcing the importance of cross-border collaboration in advancing space science.

Researchers note that continued study of lunar materials, combined with innovations such as surface-based greenhouses, could lay the groundwork for future lunar bases and deeper space exploration.