NASA's Curious Universe
Why the Moon’s Icy South Pole is a Hot Target for NASA
Jan 21, 2025
Brett Denevi, a planetary geologist and Artemis III geology team lead, and Michelle Munk, NASA’s chief architect for the Space Technology Mission Directorate, dive into the intriguing icy landscape of the Moon's South Pole. They discuss the potential of water ice for sustaining future lunar explorers and its role in fuel production. The conversation also covers innovative robotic landers and the challenges ahead for Artemis missions, including navigating extreme lunar conditions and utilizing renewable energy sources.
36:54
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Quick takeaways
- The Moon's South Pole features extreme temperature variations, allowing for the potential long-term preservation of vital water ice resources for future exploration.
- NASA's Artemis program relies on robotic missions to test technologies and gather data essential for ensuring human safety in the harsh lunar environment.
Deep dives
Unique Lighting Conditions at the Moon's South Pole
The South Pole of the Moon experiences a stark contrast in lighting, with some regions basking in perpetual sunlight while others remain shrouded in permanent darkness. This phenomenon occurs because the Moon orbits almost straight up and down, resulting in areas, such as the depths of Shackleton Crater, possibly being dark for billions of years. The temperature variations in these shadowed areas can plummet below that of Pluto, potentially allowing for the long-term preservation of water ice. Understanding these extreme conditions is crucial for future lunar exploration and the possibility of utilizing this ice for human needs.
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