The Moon’s water is sparking a new ‘gold rush’
Water at Moon's south pole is critical for future lunar missions with potential for supporting bases through extraction efforts.

The Moon's south pole has become a focus for future space missions due to water deposits located in Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSRs). These regions, always cloaked in shadows, were theorized to trap water from comet and asteroid impacts as early as 1961, a hypothesis confirmed by various space missions. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and the LCROSS mission provide insights into the presence of water ice within these craters, crucial for supporting lunar explorations.
The Artemis mission planners face the challenge of balancing the available water with the needs of astronauts. For larger lunar bases, mining operations would be essential. The Shackleton area is considered for future landings due to its ice deposit potential and extended solar illumination, thanks to the unique axial tilt of the Moon. However, deep crater explorations pose risks, leading experts like Clive Neal to suggest targeting smaller, accessible craters first.
Lunar research indicates water is not only present in PSRs but also spread across the Moon's surface, particularly in glass beads formed by impacts. Though the midlatitude regions contain thin water layers, the Chang'e 5 lander's findings suggest widespread water presence in glass beads, albeit requiring significant regolith for extraction. Thus, extensive planning and resources will be needed to ensure sustainable human presence on the Moon.