According to ISRO, a research found evidence for an increased probability of subsurface water ice formation in the Moon’s polar craters.
Water Ice on the Moon: ISRO’s Findings
- According to the research, the amount of subsurface ice within the first few metres is around 5-8 times more than that observed on the lunar surface.
- Furthermore, the study showed that the Northern Polar zone has double the amount of water ice as the Southern Polar region.
- It emphasises the need of digging to reach this ice for future missions and long-term human presence on the Moon.
Origin of Water Ice:
- The work supports the notion that subsurface water ice in the lunar poles formed as a result of outgassing during volcanic activity in the Imbrian epoch.
- It appears that Lunar Mare Volcanism and preferential impact cratering control the distribution of water ice on the Moon.
Methodology
- The study team used seven equipment on the NASA spacecraft Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO): radar, laser, optical, neutron spectrometer, ultraviolet spectrometer, and thermal radiometer. LRO glides above the lunar south pole.
- These devices gave critical data for determining the origin and distribution of water ice on the lunar surface.
The significance of the findings
- Accurate information of water ice distribution and depth is critical for selecting appropriate landing and sample locations for future lunar missions.
- The study supports ISRO’s future plans for in-situ volatile exploration on the Moon, which are consistent with the agency’s overall lunar exploration goals.
Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/studies-suggest-more-ice-on-moon-within-exploitable-depths-isro-5568544#:~:text=The%20recent%20study%20suggests%20that,poles%2C%20an%20ISRO%20statement%20said.&text=The%20study%20also%20suggests%20that,in%20the%20northern%20polar%20region.