More ice on the Moon, vital for missions: ISRO Research

In partnership with other research organizations, scientists from ISRO's SAC completed a recent study that has increased the likelihood of finding water ice in the polar craters of the Moon. According to the study, there is a lot more ice below the surface in the first few meters at both poles than there is above the surface.
Future missions and human presence on the Moon will depend on drilling to sample or extract this ice. According to the study, the northern pole zone has twice as much water ice as the southern polar region.

It is thought that outgassing from volcanism during the Imbrian epoch is the main source of subsurface water ice in the lunar poles. Preferential impact cratering and Mare volcanism are probably factors affecting the distribution of water ice.

Investigative Instruments

The genesis and distribution of water ice on the Moon were investigated by the research team using a variety of sensors on board the Lunar Reconnaissance

Importance of the Study:

• Future missions investigating lunar volatiles will require precise understanding of water ice occurrence in the poles.

The study backs up ISRO's intentions for in-situ volatile exploration of the moon in the future.

• ISRO is working on rovers and landers that can drill into the lunar surface to retrieve and examine volatile deposits that are below the surface, such as water ice.

• Technologies for using lunar resources, such as ISRU propellant manufacturing plants, volatile extraction plants, and cryogenic sample handling, are being developed.

• The goal of the Chandrayaan-3 mission is to launch in 2024. It will include a tiny lander and rover to investigate the lunar soil's composition and an instrument to identify and investigate the lunar exosphere.

• In the long run, ISRO wants to launch a Lunar Polar Exploration Mission to find the best spot for gathering water for a permanent lunar residence.
• In-depth research and application of lunar volatiles are essential to ISRO's future plans for lunar base construction and manned space missions.