European Mini Lab and Drill to Explore Lunar South Pole for Water Ice
ESA's Prospect package, featuring UK's ProSPA lab and Italy's ProSEED drill, aims to uncover resources for future moon missions.
- The mission will target the Moon's South Polar region to search for volatiles, including water ice.
- Prospect's ProSEED drill can penetrate up to one meter beneath the lunar surface to collect samples.
- ProSPA, a mini lab developed by the Open University, will analyze the samples for volatiles.
- The mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative, with a flight opportunity in 2027.
- The data gathered could help plan sustainable, long-term human presence on the Moon.
The Independent 
Evening Standard 