The Fascinating Race to the Moon's South Pole by Space Agencies

BENGALURU/WASHINGTON, Aug 22 - In an exciting endeavor, India's space agency is embarking on a mission to achieve a spacecraft landing on the moon's south pole. This audacious mission not only propels India's space aspirations but also holds the potential to significantly enhance our understanding of lunar water ice – a precious resource that could reshape the future of lunar exploration.

Let's delve into the fascinating world of lunar water ice – why it's a sought-after resource for space agencies and private enterprises alike, with the promise of fueling moon colonies, enabling lunar mining, and even propelling us toward future Mars missions.
THE QUEST FOR LUNAR WATER: A TIMELINE OF DISCOVERY

The notion of water's existence on the moon dates back to the 1960s, a time when scientists began entertaining the possibility. However, the initial analysis of samples collected by Apollo crews during the late 1960s and early 1970s seemed to point toward lunar aridity.

Fast-forward to 2008, when Brown University researchers brought fresh technology to the lunar samples, revealing traces of hydrogen within minuscule beads of volcanic glass. A pivotal year followed, with a NASA instrument aboard the Indian Space Research Organisation's Chandrayaan-1 mission detecting water on the moon's surface.

Simultaneously, another NASA probe, in 2009, uncovered water ice beneath the moon's south pole. An earlier NASA venture, the 1998 Lunar Prospector, had hinted at the highest concentration of water ice lying within the shadowy craters of the south pole.
UNVEILING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF LUNAR WATER

The intrigue surrounding ancient pockets of water ice lies in their potential to unveil lunar volcanic history, the cosmic materials delivered by comets and asteroids to Earth, and the enigmatic origins of our oceans.

Imagine the possibilities: if abundant water ice can be harnessed, it could serve as a vital water source for lunar exploration, potentially cooling equipment in the process. Furthermore, its molecular components could be separated to create hydrogen fuel and life-sustaining oxygen, thus underpinning missions to Mars and fostering lunar mining ventures.

While the 1967 United Nations Outer Space Treaty ensures no nation can lay claim to the moon, it lacks clauses to curtail commercial undertakings.

A collective endeavor led by the United States, the Artemis Accords, aims to establish guiding principles for moon exploration and resource utilization, boasting 27 signatories. Notably, China and Russia have yet to join this accord.
THE SOUTH POLE CHALLENGE: A DARING VENTURE

History reminds us that lunar landing attempts have met obstacles before. Russia's Luna-25 mission, slated for a south pole landing, encountered an unfortunate twist, spiraling out of control and meeting a crash landing.

The moon's south pole, distinct from the equatorial focus of previous endeavors, including the renowned Apollo landings, presents an intricate terrain marked by craters and deep crevices.

Amidst this backdrop, ISRO's Chandrayaan-3 mission remains steadfast, with a courageous landing scheduled for Wednesday. A prior Indian mission faced setbacks in 2019, yet the resolve to touch down in the designated area remains undaunted.

Meanwhile, both China and the United States harbor aspirations for south pole missions, underscoring the international fervor to unlock the moon's mysteries from its polar region.

Source : Reuters (Reporting by Nivedita Bhattacharjee and Joey Roulette)