Who Found Water on Moon
NASA confirmed water molecules in sunlit areas of the Moon in 2020 using the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). The space agency reported water concentrations of 100 to 412 parts per million in the Clavius crater. This finding, published in Nature Astronomy, showed water exists in more accessible locations than previously thought. The discovery shifted the focus from theoretical ice to measurable surface hydration.
ISRO's Chandrayaan-1 first detected water signatures in 2009 via the Moon Mineralogy Mapper. NASA's Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) confirmed water ice in permanently shadowed craters in 2009. These missions established the baseline for current exploration. The latest data from SOFIA and commercial landers builds directly on these early findings.
Latest Findings and Locations
NASA's Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) is scheduled to map water ice at the lunar South Pole starting in late 2024. The mission will target Nobile crater, where surface temperatures remain below -170°C. Data from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and ShadowCam indicate these regions contain substantial ice deposits. The exact quantity remains under investigation, but estimates suggest billions of tons of water ice exist in shadowed craters.
Recent studies confirm water exists in micro-cold traps smaller than a penny across the lunar surface. These traps are widespread and not limited to deep polar craters. The presence of water in sunlit areas suggests distribution is more global than previously modeled. This changes mission planning for future astronauts and resource utilization strategies.
Commercial and International Efforts
NASA awarded contracts to multiple companies for lunar water prospecting under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. Astrobotic, Intuitive Machines, and Firefly Aerospace are developing landers to deliver instruments to the lunar surface. These missions aim to confirm ice accessibility and test extraction methods. The data will inform the Artemis program's goal of sustainable lunar presence.
Private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin are developing technologies for lunar water mining. SpaceX's Starship is designed to transport large payloads to the Moon for ISRU (In-Situ Resource Utilization) experiments. The economic viability of lunar water depends on extraction costs and transport to orbit. NASA's Moon to Mars program office is evaluating these commercial partnerships for future fuel depots.