For nearly two decades scientists have confirmed that water exists on the Moon in some form, but the exact amount of accessible ice, its depth below the surface and its physical state remain unknown.
China is preparing a mission designed to answer these questions. The spacecraft will carry instruments capable of probing the polar craters for signs of ice.
Mission objectives
- Determine the quantity of accessible water ice.
- Measure its depth and purity.
- Assess the feasibility of extracting the ice for future use.
Understanding the distribution and availability of lunar ice is crucial for sustainable human presence. If sufficient resources are confirmed, water could be split into oxygen and hydrogen for life support and propellant.
The mission fits into China's Chang'e program, with launch expected within the next two years. The resulting data will be shared with the global scientific community to support cooperative exploration efforts.