Scientists have discovered large deposits of ice in lunar dust and rocks that could become a valuable resource for future lunar expeditions. Ice could be used to shield against radiation, produce rocket fuel and breathe air, according to a new analysis of data from NASA’s LRO (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter) mission.

The study found that ice is present not only in large permanent shadow regions (PSRs) near the Moon’s South Pole, but also in larger regions, including areas inside the Cabeau, Haworth, Shoemaker and Faustini craters. “We found that there is widespread evidence of water ice in the PSR beyond the South Pole, at least toward 77 degrees south latitude,” said Timothy McClanahan of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

The research also aided lunar mission planners by providing maps and identifying surface features that indicate where ice would be present and where it would be less abundant. “Our model and analysis indicate that the largest ice concentrations are expected to occur near the coldest PSR regions below 75 Kelvin (-198°C or -325°F) and near the base of the PSR’s poleward slopes,” McClanahan said. he said.

The team used LRO’s Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector (LEND) to detect signatures of ice deposits by measuring medium-energy “epithermal” neutrons. “We hypothesized that if all PSRs had the same hydrogen concentration, CSETN should determine hydrogen concentrations proportionally as a function of their area,” McClanahan said. he added.

The model was developed based on a theoretical study showing how hydrogen-enhanced PSRs would be detected by CSETNs. The correlation was demonstrated using neutron emissions from 502 PSRs with 4 km areas.² up to 1079 km²it contrasted with the surrounding less hydrogen-rich regions.

The discovery of large ice deposits on the Moon will have important implications for future lunar exploration, as ice can be used as a resource to support life and fuel production. “For every square meter of surface above these deposits, we expect at least about five more liters of ice per meter of surface compared to surrounding areas,” McClanahan said.