News
Nasa unveils plan for astronauts to live on the moon – inside glass bubbles made from lunar dust
Nasa has unveiled plans to send astronauts to live on the moon – inside glass bubbles made from lunar dust.
The American space agency is funding research into the large livable spheres which would be created in situ, the Ekwutosblog reports.
Tiny pieces of so-called lunar glass – a component of the moon’s soil, or regolith, along with rocks and mineral fragments – would be collected upon arrival from Earth.
The material would be melted down using the same technology as in a domestic microwave oven, along with a ‘smart microwave furnace’.
A ‘smart microwave furnace’ will be developed to aid melting and blow the glass into a bubble, which would harden into a large, transparent structure.
The idea has been dreamt up by American space engineering company Skyeports which has already proven glass balls can be blown from lunar dust in this way.
The firm’s test spheres are only a couple of inches wide – but the goal is to expand them by hundreds or thousands of feet, into workable astronaut homes.
The compound used to build a spherical habitat – which it is hoped could be between around 1,000ft and 1,600ft wide – could be altered to make the eventual glass self-healing.
It is a special type of glass made of polymers which can reorganise themselves after any breaks, from micrometeorites or ‘moonquakes’ for instance.
The moon homes could also be fitted with solar panels to generate their own energy.
Skyeports chief executive Dr Martin Bermudez hoped to one day see entire cities of the spheres, connected by glass bridges, on the moon – and elsewhere in space.
‘You will never replicate Earth, but this is something that gets pretty close, and we could even put them into orbit one day,’ he said.
He has always been interested in space and wanted to start using his architecture background to explore how to make structures on the moon or Mars.
Chemical compounds called silicates, often used to make glass, can account for up to 60 per cent of lunar dust – which first got him thinking about the bubbles.
And with further research, he discovered glass can be adapted to become less brittle – and even stronger than steel.
He contacted Nasa around two years ago with the idea, which he said the agency liked from the start.
The concept is now being researched under the Nasa Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) programme, for projects which have the potential to transform aerospace.
And its in situ construction is attractive – it is hard to build things on the moon, with shipping materials to its surface hugely expensive.
Enormous gas pipes would be used to blow the melted glass – and repurposed to create the entrance once the bubble has been created.
Any interior fittings would be 3D printed using materials gathered from the surface of the moon.
Skyeports has said a sphere was chosen because it is a particularly structurally sound shape, with an even distribution of pressure.
Using transparent glass to build it, meanwhile, was said to be beneficial for astronauts’ mental health.
Dr Bermudez added: ‘The spherical shape happens automatically, because at that temperature it becomes an amorphous liquid, and when it is extruded out of a furnace in low gravity it will form the shape of a sphere.’
Along with the lunar glass, metals like titanium, magnesium and calcium will need to be mixed into the raw compound for strength.
It is also hoped layers of bubbles could be created, with one warmer surface and another cooler to create condensation.
This would allow astronauts to plant vegetables and plants and create an ecosystem to produce oxygen.
And development teams also hope a glass bubble of that size could be used to produce enough electricity to power the whole system.
The blowing technique will be tested in a thermal vacuum chamber in January, before moving to a micro-gravity environment.
It will eventually be trialled on the International Space Station – and tests on the moon itself could happen in the next couple of years.
While Nasa works out if humans could live on the moon, astronauts may well return to it for a visit.
The agency could put men on the moon within the next five years under its Artemis programme and is currently searching for appropriate habitats for that mission.
Dr Bermudez said: ‘We’re in a race against time because Artemis is moving so fast.’
Clayton Turner, from Nasa’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, which is responsible for tech innovation, said: ‘Our next steps and giant leaps rely on innovation, and the concepts born from NIAC can radically change how we explore deep space, work in low-Earth orbit, and protect our home planet.
‘From developing small robots that could swim through the oceans of other worlds to growing space habitats from fungi, this programme continues to change the possible.’
The study comes after researchers at Aalen University in Germany suggested in 2023 buildings and roads could be built on the moon using bricks made from lunar dust zapped with a laser.
The space agency’s description of the research notes: ‘This innovative approach involves in-situ melting of lunar glass compounds and the creation of a large spherical shell structure, representing a significant departure from current habitat construction methods.
‘Traditional construction methods, such as using prefabricated parts, 3D printing, inflatable systems and complex assembly, are labour-intensive and time-consuming.
‘In contrast, the concept of blown scalable glass structures utilizes lunar glass resources and introduces a novel in-situ manufacturing approach.’
It adds: ‘The idea of constructing monolithic glass habitats on the moon holds immense promise for the future of space exploration and habitation.
‘It inspires a pioneering spirit by envisioning a new era of self-sustaining off-world habitats, offering significant benefits to NASA, the aerospace community, and humanity as a whole.’
News
Police Arrest Pastor, Islamic Cleric And One Other Over Possession Of Human Parts In Oyo
The Oyo State Police Command has apprehended three suspects, including a pastor and an Islamic cleric, for allegedly possessing human body parts in Ibadan.
The spokesperson for the command, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed this in a statement on 24th March, 2026.
According to the PPRO, a patrol team intercepted an unregistered motorcycle and arrested the rider.
Upon searching the pillion, a package containing human intestine was recovered.
The suspect confessed that he had obtained the items from an unknown individual and sells them to one Alfa Onaolapo Taiwo and Pastor Ayodele Taiwo.
Onaolapo and Ayodele were subsequently tracked and arrested.
The duo confessed to purchasing the suspected human parts from Oyategbe Joseph.
“The Oyo State Police Command wishes to inform members of the public of a recent arrest involving the unlawful possession and sale of suspected human parts in Ibadan, highlighting the Command’s commitment to proactive policing and the protection of lives and public health,” the statement read
“In line with its proactive measures to rid the state of criminal activities, the Command routinely conducts stop-and-search operations, which serve as a key strategy for detecting and preventing illegal acts before they escalate.
“It was during one such operation along Adekile area of Agugu that a patrol team intercepted an unregistered Bajaj Boxer motorcycle.
“During a search of the pillion, the rider was apprehended on the spot, and a package containing flesh suspected to be human parts (intestine) was recovered.
“Following this discovery, the apprehended pillion rider, identified as Oyategbe Joseph, male, of Ibadan, was interrogated.
“He confessed that he had obtained the suspected human parts from an unknown individual at Oritaperin area and further admitted to selling the items to two persons: Alfa Onaolapo Taiwo, male, aged 46 years, and Pastor Ayodele Taiwo, male, aged 55 years.
“Acting promptly on this intelligence, the Command swiftly apprehended Alfa Onaolapo Taiwo and Pastor Ayodele Taiwo and brought them to the station for interrogation.
“Both suspects confessed to purchasing the suspected human parts from Oyategbe Joseph.
“The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for a discreet and thorough investigation.
“Upon the conclusion of investigations, all suspects will be charged to court.
“As a result of these coordinated actions, all three suspects are currently in police custody, and the Command reassures the public that every necessary measure is being taken to ensure that those involved are brought to justice.
“In conclusion, the Oyo State Police Command appeals to members of the public to remain vigilant and to promptly report any information regarding the possession or sale of human parts to the nearest police station or security agency, emphasizing that community cooperation remains critical in maintaining law and order.”
News
12-Year-Old Boy Arrested for S£xually Ass@ulting Woman In Her 60s And Leaving Her With Serious Injuries
A12-year-old boy has appeared in a UK court after he was accused of s£xually ass@ulting a woman in her 60s, leaving her seriously injured.
The woman was found in a property north of Birmingham city centre at around 6.15pm on March 18, bleeding heavily from several wounds and barely conscious, a court heard on Tuesday.
The woman was lying on the floor, n@ked apart from a t-shirt, with cuts to her chest and face, prosecutor Colin Charvill told Birmingham Youth Court.
She remains in hospital in a serious condition, having been placed in an induced coma.
A boy aged 12 has been charged with segxwal assault and wounding, as well as an offence of theft on the same day and intentional strangulation in relation to an alleged incident on February 11.
The defendant, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared in court today where he indicated pleas of not guilty to all of the charges.
He was remanded to youth detention accommodation by District Judge David Murray ahead of an appearance at Birmingham Crown Court on April 21.
West Midlands Police said in a statement: ‘Our enquiries remain ongoing, but we understand how concerning this will be within the community.
‘Our officers will be continuing to provide reassurance in the local area.
‘If anyone has any information regarding suspicious behavior on 18 March or in the days leading up to last Wednesday, details can be submitted via the Major Incident Public Portal or via 101 quoting log 4888 of 18 March.’
News
Christian And Muslim Women Unite To Form Vigilante Group In Jos, Patrol Streets At Night To Combat Crime (Video)
Amid growing insecurity and its escalating effects on local communities, a group of women in Jos has established an all-female vigilante group to tackle violence, theft, and drug-related crimes in the area.
The initiative, highlighted in a Reuters feature on Tuesday, brings together women who say they were compelled to act following what they described as repeated failures of government security promises.
According to members, the group was created as a grassroots effort to contribute to the safety and stability of their communities.
Armed with little more than whips and identification cards, the women patrol neighbourhoods and confront suspected drug dealers and petty criminals. Despite limited resources, they say their presence has begun to yield results.
“We have been able to help reduce thefts, taking of drugs and other vices,” Blessing Ngozi Emmanuel, identified as the group’s leader, was quoted as saying.
The vigilante team currently comprises about 20 women from both Muslim and Christian backgrounds, reflecting a rare show of unity across religious lines in a region often marked by tension.
They conduct nightly patrols between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m., focusing on areas they consider most vulnerable to crime.
However, their work has not come without risks. Some members have reportedly been injured during operations, while others have received threats.
One member said she was warned that she could be made to “disappear” if she continued her involvement.
Despite these dangers, the women insist their mission is strictly to support community security, not to replace formal law enforcement.
They also expressed frustration over the lack of official recognition or support, noting that it was only weeks ago that local government officials visited them, despite months of active operations.
The emergence of the group underscores the worsening security situation in Plateau State, where incidents of violence, abduction, and communal attacks have persisted.
Earlier on Tuesday, SaharaReporters reported the abduction of a senior cleric of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) and Chairman of its Board of Trustees.
The cleric was reportedly taken by unknown gunmen from his residence in Farin Gida, Jos. The incident was confirmed by a source at the church’s headquarters, while a message circulated on its official WhatsApp platform urged members to pray for his safety and swift release.
Jos is not the only part of Plateau grappling with insecurity. In February, survivors recounted how suspected Berom militias allegedly intercepted a commercial vehicle in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, dragged out five trader-passengers, and k!lled them.
The attack reportedly occurred along the Nding axis, just hours after seven people were said to have been k!lled in Ratatis community, Dorowa Babuje, by suspected armed bandits.
One survivor, Abdulazeez Ibrahim, a resident of Gangare in Jos North Local Government Area, described how the victims, identified as Hausa traders travelling to Pankshin for business, were stopped and attacked.
Against this backdrop of persistent violence, the women-led vigilante group in Jos represents both a response to insecurity and a reflection of growing public frustration over gaps in official protection.
Promises by the government to ensure safer communities have failed to materialise with many k!lled, kidnapped from time to time.
-
Business1 year ago
US court acquits Air Peace boss, slams Mayfield $4000 fine
-
Trending1 year agoNYA demands release of ‘abducted’ Imo chairman, preaches good governance
-
Politics1 year agoMexico’s new president causes concern just weeks before the US elections
-
Politics1 year agoPutin invites 20 world leaders
-
Politics1 year agoRussia bans imports of agro-products from Kazakhstan after refusal to join BRICS
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Bobrisky falls ill in police custody, rushed to hospital
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Bobrisky transferred from Immigration to FCID, spends night behind bars
-
Education2 years ago
GOVERNOR FUBARA APPOINTS COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR KEN SARO-WIWA POLYTECHNIC BORI
