NASA Launches Lunar Trailblazer to Map Moon's Water Resources

The small satellite will investigate the quantity, location, and form of water on the Moon, aiding future exploration and scientific discovery.

• NASA's Lunar Trailblazer, launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, aims to map water on the Moon's surface with unprecedented detail.
• The mission will focus on the Moon's South Pole, including permanently shadowed craters believed to harbor significant amounts of water ice.
• Equipped with two advanced instruments, the spacecraft will analyze the form, distribution, and behavior of lunar water and its relationship with surface temperature.
• Lunar water could be vital for future Moon missions, offering potential resources for drinking water, oxygen, and rocket fuel production.
• The data collected will also provide insights into the origin of lunar water, contributing to broader understanding of Earth's water history.

3 Articles

Nature NASA