What will become of glass in a billion years? Scientists found out by finding glass in samples from the Moon

The researchers conducted tests by melting and re-cooling the glass and found that exposure to radiation had a significant effect on the material’s properties. The Young’s modulus, which characterises the material’s ability to resist deformation, increased by 70%, and some particles gained high hardness.

The discovery will help scientists understand the behaviour of glass in the conditions of other planets and possibly improve its production on Earth. The new knowledge will also be useful for future settlers on the Moon. It is possible that habitable modules and vehicles will be created there using local glass.