NASA Engineer Develops Plastic From Bacteria for Moon

Allison Christy's material combines bacteria-produced PHB with lunar or Martian dust, offering a way to build with local resources in space.

Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Materials Science

NASA Engineer Develops Plastic From Bacteria for Moon

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NASA Glenn Research Center engineer Allison Christy has developed a plastic that astronauts could manufacture on the moon and Mars. The plastic's main ingredient, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), is produced by bacteria and is mixed with moon or Mars dust to strengthen it.

Why it matters

The approach would let astronauts make plastic from local materials rather than hauling all supplies from Earth. Christy's team's work could shape NASA's plans for a moon base.

Samples are darker as dust content rises, with gray indicating moon dust and reddish brown indicating Mars dust. NASA Glenn is still testing how the material responds to lunar conditions in its Lunar Environment Structural Test Rig, and no strength or durability figures have been released.

The players

NASA Glenn Research Center

NASA's center in Cleveland that leads research into aerospace materials and propulsion, and where the plastic was developed.

Allison Christy

A NASA Glenn engineer who developed the bacteria-based plastic for use on the moon and Mars.

The details

The plastic begins as a fine powder of PHB, which bacteria produce by consuming waste, including other plastics. That powder is mixed with moon or Mars dust, and Christy is developing the blend into a filament for 3D printers. NASA plans to launch small material samples to the International Space Station and mount them outside to expose them to space.

Earlier this week: NASA announced the $1 million Moon Base Student Challenge.
January 25, 2027: Deadline for teams to register for the student challenge.

The Big Picture

The plastic extends NASA's in-situ resource utilization goals for its Moon Base program, which aim to use local materials rather than launch every supply from Earth. Christy's work could shape how that program plans its first permanent outpost on the lunar surface.

Plastic made from local dust and bacteria could eventually reduce how much material astronauts must launch from Earth. The development is still in testing, so the practical timeline for use on the moon or Mars is not yet set.

The takeaway

Using local dust and bacteria to make plastic points to a path where space missions carry fewer supplies from Earth. Watch NASA's test results from its Lunar Environment Structural Test Rig to see how the material performs.