"China Calls for Developers to Create Moon Soil-Building Robot for Lunar Bases"
China's National Space Administration is seeking domestic developers to create instruments for the Chang'e 8 mission, including a device to make bricks out of moon soil and a robot to assemble them. The mission, scheduled for 2028, aims to lay the groundwork for the International Lunar Research Station at the moon's south pole. The instruments will study local geology, test resource utilization technologies, and conduct Earth observations. China is also calling for development submissions on nine scientific instruments, including an in situ device to melt lunar soil and a robot to assemble parts on the lunar surface. The mission will also test life-supporting technologies for a long-term human presence on the moon and reserve payload for partner countries.