A recent NASA mission delivered an explosive payload to the surface of the Moon, revealing the presence of ice and water which may pave the way for a Moon base in the future.
Artist's impression of LCROSS mission
image credit: Reuters
The Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) impacted the Moon's surface on October 9th, 2009, near the Moon's south pole. When the satellite's explosive payload slammed into the Moon, a cloud of Moon rocks exploded into space, partially vaporized. Compared to NASA advertising the plume was not much to look at, but further study revealed an important find. The cloud of materials, called ejecta, was studied with a variety of instruments. The instruments on board the LCROSS and another satellite, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), examined the ejecta and found that the Moon's rocks contain water.
The jury is still out on exactly how much water was found, but estimates in abstracts of upcoming studies suggest a number around 3-10% water in the Moon rocks by weight. This number surprised many, who had theorized much smaller concentrations.
According to a NASA scientist, the rocket that was being prepared to launch of the LRO mission was found to be too fast. To arrive successfully at the moon, the launch rocket would need extra weight. At first, NASA considered simply adding ballast -- dead weight which would serve no function. Seizing the opportunity, an explosive payload was added to the launch vehicle. "Basically, they were like, 'What are we going to put in here? We can put in some sand... or a bomb," said a source from NASA.
What began as an afterthought may have paved the way for a Moon base in the future. The ice could be harvested from the Moon's surface and heated to provide water to astronauts. The LRO and LCROSS instruments also revealed hydrogen, methane, and ammonia gas trapped in the rocks, which could potentially be used as fuel. This will be instrumental in NASA's plan to place a manned base on the Moon around 2025.
A prototype Moon base under development by NASA
For more information, visit the official NASA site at www.nasa.gov/lcross.
References:
Elphic, RC, LA Teodoro, VR Eke, DA Paige, MA Seigler, A Colaprete (2010), The Average Water Concentration within Cabeus Crater: Inferences from LRO/Diviner, LCROSS and Lunar Prospector. American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2010, abstract #P11c-1358
Kate, IL, EH Cardiff, JP Dworkin, SH Feng, V Holmes, C Malespin, JG Stern, TD Swindle, and DP Glavin (2010), VAPoR -- Volatile Analysis by Pyrolysis of Regolith -- an instrument for in situ detection of water, noble gases, and organics on the Moon. Planetary and Space Science, 58, doi:10.1016/j.pss.2010.03.006
Neish, C. D., D. B. J. Bussey, P. Spudis, W. Marshall, B. J. Thomson, G. W. Patterson, and L. M. Carter (2011), The nature of lunar volatiles as revealed by Mini‐RF observations of the LCROSS impact site. J. Geophys. Res., 116, doi:10.1029/2010JE003647
Personal interview, Anonymous source at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.
