Understanding Lunar Ice’s Role in Artemis III
The upcoming Artemis III mission marks a significant milestone in space exploration. Central to its success is the study and use of lunar polar volatiles. These resources, especially water, are vital for future missions. A recent study presented at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference highlights how these lunar resources can support the mission’s crew.
Geologists define volatiles as substances that evaporate at low temperatures. For the Moon, the most important volatiles are found in the permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) at its south pole. These areas hide significant amounts of water, which can be utilized for in situ resource utilization (ISRU). This ISRU approach is critical as it enables astronauts to use local resources, reducing the need to transport everything from Earth.
