Finding from lunar soil samples is important breakthrough for hopes of building bases on the moon
Tiny glass beads strewn across the moon’s surface contain potentially billions of tonnes of water that could be extracted and used by astronauts on future lunar missions, researchers say.
More than half a century after humans last walked on the moon, Nasa and other space agencies are preparing for a return. Nasa’s Artemis mission aims to put the first woman and the first person of colour on the moon, while the EuropeanAgency has plans for a moon village. Both expect to draw on lunar materials to sustain their off-world bases.
“This is going to open up new avenues which many of us have been thinking about,” said Anand. “If you can extract the water and concentrate it in significant quantities, it’s up to you how you utilise it.” The water appears to form when high-energy particles streaming from the sun – the so-called solar wind – strike the molten droplets. The solar wind contains hydrogen nuclei, which combine with oxygen in the droplets to produce water or hydroxyl ions. The water then becomes locked in the beads, but it can be released by heating the material.
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