Study Identifies Thousands of Lunar Craters as Potential Platinum and Water Sources

Overview

• Peer-reviewed research in Planetary and Space Science estimates up to 6,500 lunar craters could host platinum-group metals from asteroid impacts.
• The analysis suggests roughly 3,350–3,400 craters may contain water locked in hydrated minerals important for future exploration.
• Concentrations are most likely in large, complex craters with central peaks, narrowing priorities to about 38 sites over 19 km for metals and about 20 for water.
• Although much impactor material vaporizes, the study finds significant remnants can survive and be preserved, guiding where to search.
• The authors argue the Moon may be a more practical, statistically richer target than near-Earth asteroids, and recommend remote sensing from orbit to identify viable sites.