A new international study has revealed that water ice buried deep within the Moon’s permanently shadowed regions has remained stable for billions of years, strengthening prospects for long-term human exploration. The findings, based on data from Chandrayaan-2 and NASA instruments, offer fresh insights into the Moon’s south pole, a key target for future missions.

Published in the journal Nature on April 2, the study involved researchers from the Physical Research Laboratory, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, and the Institute of Remote Sensing.

Stable Ice In Permanent Darkness

The research focused on permanently shadowed regions located near the lunar south pole, areas that never receive sunlight and maintain extremely low temperatures. These conditions allow water ice and other volatile compounds to remain frozen over geological timescales.

According to the study, nearly 74 per cent of these regions have remained unaffected by meteorite impacts, enabling them to preserve water ice for billions of years. Even in areas subjected to repeated impacts, the deposits appear resilient.

Using high-resolution imagery from NASA’s ShadowCam and the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter’s camera, scientists mapped millions of small craters ranging from one to 20 metres in size. Larger craters, up to seven kilometres in diameter, were also analysed across regions between 85° and 90° south latitude.

Impacts And Ice Redistribution

The study found that while impacts can disturb subsurface ice, they also play a role in redistributing it. Smaller craters may expose buried ice by ejecting material, while natural surface processes, often referred to as “gardening”, gradually mix the lunar soil.

This churning effect can bring ice closer to the surface in regions without significant crater activity, making such locations particularly valuable for exploration. Scientists suggest that these areas could serve as prime landing and resource extraction sites for future missions.

The findings come amid renewed global interest in lunar exploration, with programmes like Artemis II and India’s planned human mission to the Moon by 2040 aiming to establish a sustained presence.

Boost For Future Lunar Missions

The study underscores the strategic importance of the lunar south pole for upcoming missions, including Chandrayaan-5, a joint project between ISRO and JAXA scheduled for launch around 2027–28.

The mission aims to land near the south pole and deploy a Japanese rover along with an Indian lander to locate and analyse water ice deposits. These resources could be crucial for producing drinking water, oxygen, and even rocket fuel, reducing the need to transport supplies from Earth.

India’s Chandrayaan programme has played a pioneering role in lunar exploration. Chandrayaan-1 first confirmed the presence of water molecules on the Moon, while Chandrayaan-3 provided further evidence of subsurface ice.

The latest findings reinforce the idea that the Moon is not just a barren celestial body but a resource-rich destination. As nations intensify efforts to establish lunar bases, the stability of water ice could prove to be a cornerstone for humanity’s next giant leap into deep space.

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