NASA has a plan to set fires on the Moon

The test aims to allow scientists to understand the differences microgravity causes in fires and adjust safety systems.

NASA is planning a groundbreaking experiment on the Moon that will involve deliberate ignition of fires on its surface. The mission, known as Flammability of Materials on the Moon (FM2), is scheduled for the end of 2026 and aims to improve understanding of how fire behaves in low-gravity environments.

Although space agencies work carefully to prevent fires, the experiment addresses a fundamental security concern. Most flammability tests are performed under Earth’s gravity, but research suggests that materials may burn differently in reduced gravity, such as on the Moon, where gravity is about one-sixth that of Earth. In some cases, materials considered non-flammable on Earth may ignite more easily under these conditions, explains the .

According to NASA, gravity affects how flames interact with oxygen. On Earth, hot air rises quickly, attracting fresh oxygen and supporting combustion. In reduced gravity, this process is slower, which may allow flames persist under conditions in which they would normally be extinguished. Previous experiments in microgravity, including those conducted aboard the International Space Station, have already demonstrated that combustion behaves differently in space.

Simulating lunar gravity on Earth has proven difficult. Scientists have used drop towers, parabolic flights, and rotating systems to simulate reduced gravity, but these methods only allow short-term experiences and can introduce complicating factors. As a result, researchers believe that conducting experiments directly on the Moon is the most reliable way to study how materials burn in such environments.

The FM2 experience will involve ignition of four samples of solid materials under controlled conditions, while cameras record how the flames spread and develop. The goal is not just to test specific materials, but to validate models that predict fire behavior in reduced gravity, helping engineers design safer spacecraft and habitats for future missions.

The importance of this research is highlighted by past incidents. One of the most serious occurred aboard the Mir space station in 1997, when a fire in an oxygen generator filled the station with smoke and temporarily blocked access to escape vehicles. Although the crew managed to control the situation, the incident highlighted the serious risks posed by fire in space. By studying combustion on the Moon, NASA hopes prevent similar incidents in future missions.