New research from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) indicates that ice deposits on the Moon are more extensive than previously understood. This finding may significantly impact future lunar missions.
Ice has multiple uses, including shielding astronauts from radiation, supplying drinking water, generating breathable air, and serving as a potential source of rocket fuel through hydrogen and oxygen extraction.
While earlier studies identified ice in permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) near the Moon's South Pole—particularly in large craters such as Cabeus, Haworth, Shoemaker, and Faustini—this new analysis suggests that water ice may also exist in PSRs extending to 77 degrees south latitude.
Dr. Timothy P. McClanahan from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, the lead researcher, noted that the study pinpoints areas on the lunar surface where ice is most likely to be found. The research indicates that the highest concentrations of ice are expected in the coldest PSRs, where temperatures drop below 75 Kelvin (or -198°C). These regions, typically on slopes oriented toward the poles, could harbor significant ice deposits.
While the exact quantity of ice beneath the surface remains uncertain, McClanahan estimates that there could be at least five quarts of ice within the top meter of surface for every square meter of land in these areas.
The team theorizes that the Moon's ice likely originates from various sources, including impacts from comets and meteorites, as well as chemical reactions between lunar dust and solar wind.
PSRs have remained in permanent shadow for billions of years, allowing ice to accumulate due to their extremely cold surfaces.
To detect these ice deposits, researchers utilized LRO's Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector (LEND), which measures neutrons generated when cosmic rays strike the lunar surface. By analyzing neutron interactions with hydrogen in the lunar regolith, scientists can infer potential ice locations.
This research will aid future lunar explorers by identifying where ice can be mined, enhancing the sustainability of human exploration on the Moon.