This is today's edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what's going on in the world of technology. The US and China are racing to build bases on the moon, with NASA hoping to establish a small lunar city by the end of the century. But the moon is a tremendously hostile place to set up camp.
A sprawling lunar base must be safe for its inhabitants, protected from falling asteroids, endless cosmic radiation, razor-sharp lunar dust, and torturous temperature swings. It also must be somewhat self-sustaining. That will require autonomous robots, nuclear power, and a way to use the moon’s resources to keep the base operating.
But the chief obstacle may be one of political will. Find out what stands in the way of a city on the moon. This story is from the next issue of our print magazine.
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The US startup is part green cement company, part critical mineral producer. During the Biden administration, its primary pitch was cement that generates about 60% fewer greenhouse-gas emissions. It achieves this by switching to silicate rocks instead of standard limestone, which releases carbon dioxide when heated.
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Extract — continue reading at the source.
