BORDEAUX, France – Researchers are testing lunar construction techniques and astronaut performance technologies aboard a series of microgravity flights organized by the German Aerospace Center (DLR).
The experiments are part of DLR’s 46th parabolic flight campaign, which uses an Airbus A310 aircraft to create short periods of weightlessness for scientific investigations. Eight research projects from German universities and institutes are participating in the current campaign.
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Lunar regolith processing and in-space construction
One study explores methods for turning lunar soil into building material for future Moon missions. Lunar infrastructure will likely depend on locally sourced materials since transporting construction materials from Earth would be costly and logistically challenging.
Researchers developed a laser-based system that melts simulated lunar regolith under vacuum conditions and are using the flights to study how changing gravity levels affect the process.
The investigation will also evaluate how dust generated during processing interacts with optical components. Lunar dust presents a persistent engineering challenge because fine particles can adhere to equipment, reduce performance, and accelerate wear in the harsh lunar environment.
Astronaut cognition and human performance research
A second study focuses on maintaining crew behavior during future space missions. Previous research has shown that microgravity can affect attention, reaction speed, and other cognitive functions that are critical for spacecraft operations.
Scientists from the University of Magdeburg are evaluating whether non-invasive electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve can help preserve cognitive and psychomotor performance during weightlessness. Participants complete a series of attention and reaction tests before, during, and after flight while receiving either active stimulation or a placebo treatment.
Researchers hope the work could contribute to portable systems that help astronauts sustain attention and decision-making during extended missions beyond low Earth orbit.
Creating microgravity aboard aircraft
DLR has conducted parabolic flight campaigns since 1999 to support biological, physical, engineering, and human-performance research. During each maneuver, the aircraft follows a steep climb and descent profile that generates approximately 22 seconds of microgravity.
A typical campaign consists of three flight days and 31 parabolas per flight. Researchers accumulate roughly 35 minutes of weightlessness across the campaign, providing a test environment for technologies intended for future space exploration missions.
