Indian Scientists Use Bacteria to Repair Space Bricks—Set for Gaganyaan Mission

Transporting construction materials from Earth to space is one of the biggest challenges in space exploration due to high costs, logistical constraints, and extreme environmental conditions. According to NASA, launching materials into space can cost in range from $10,000 to $15,000 per kg.

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have engineered a bacteria-based technique to repair bricks used in space habitats. The bacterium, Sporosarcina pasteurii, produces calcium carbonate, which helps fill cracks in bricks exposed to the Moon’s extreme conditions.

These bricks, made from lunar soil simulants, can suffer damage due to temperature swings from 121°C to -133°C, solar radiation, and meteorite impacts. To counter this, IISc scientists introduced artificial defects in sintered bricks and injected a slurry containing the bacteria, guar gum, and lunar soil simulant. Over time, the bacteria solidified the slurry and reinforced the bricks, making them more resilient.

 

Bricks with artificially created flaws, alongside bricks repaired using the bacteria-filled slurry (Photo: IISc/ Amogh Jadhav)

Now, a sample of this bacteria is set to be sent into space aboard India’s Gaganyaan mission to study its behavior in microgravity.

What problem does this solves?

This bacteria-based method solves multiple challenges in space habitat construction, making structures stronger, self-healing, and more sustainable. Here's what it tackles:

Problems Solved by Bacteria-Modified Bricks

1. Cracking & Structural Weakness
• Space bricks suffer from cracks due to extreme temperature shifts, radiation, and micrometeorite impacts.
• Traditional bricks require frequent repairs, which is difficult in space.
• The bacteria self-heal cracks, restoring up to 54% of strength.
2. Costly Transport of Materials from Earth
• Carrying construction materials from Earth is prohibitively expensive.
• These bricks form on-site using lunar soil simulants, reducing payload costs.
3. Fragility of Traditional Sintered Bricks
• Sintering bricks makes them brittle and prone to damage.
• Bacteria-modified bricks reinforce weak spots, making them stronger and durable.
4. Challenges of Long-Term Space Habitats
• Current materials need replacements over time, increasing dependency on Earth.
• This method could lead to self-sustaining lunar and Martian habitats, reducing maintenance.

Big Picture Impact

• Enables self-repairing structures, reducing astronaut workload.
• Improves the feasibility of permanent settlements on the Moon & Mars.
• India's Gaganyaan mission will test how bacteria behave in microgravity, potentially paving the way for off-world construction.