Finding Water On The Moon And Mars: Humanity’s Extraterrestrial Future

The inclination to explore across vast expanses has been a continual part of human history. In voyages across the Atlantic, or North America, one of the greatest obstacles was the availability of water.

It was a life or death struggle. As terrestrial inhabitants make the first expansions to non-Earth habitations, water remains a major obstacle. As in the past, knowledge of where water resources are and how much remains is a fundamental question, which is addressed in this issue.

The exploration across the expanse of space continues with NASA’s initiation of the multistage Artemis program. Returning to the Moon is inspired by scientific discovery, economic benefits, and inspirations for a new generation of explorers.

Artemis will build a habitat on the Moon, marking the first departure of Homo Sapiens to live on an extra-terrestrial body. Artemis 1, a nonpiloted nonlanding mission has already flown. Artemis 4 will send 4 astronauts to the Lunar Gateway station and prepare for the landing of humans on the Moon. The goal is to study the Moon in high detail and develop a better understanding of the Moon and prepare for travel and eventual settlement of Mars.

The recent Perseverance Mars mission had two impressive instruments on board to prepare for both Mars and the Moon. The MOXIE (Mars oxygen in-situ instrument) successfully demonstrated that oxygen may be electrochemically separated from atmosphere to be used for breathing support.

The SHERLOCK (Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals instrument) found evidence of an ancient lakebed. These high-resolution mineral instruments search for organics and minerals modified by aqueous activity. This issue of water on the Moon and Mars, how much is there, how is it distributed, and where did it come from is timelier than ever.

Finding water on the Moon and Mars: Humanity’s extraterrestrial future, PNAS via PubMed (open access)

Astrobiology,