Space mission aims to map water on surface of the moon

A probe to be launched this week aims to pinpoint sites of lunar water, which could help in the plan to colonise the Earth’s satellite

- Robin McKie Science Editor

Space engineers are set to launch an unusual mission this week when they send a probe built by UK and US researchers to the moon to map water on its surface.

Lunar Trailblazer’s two-year mission is set to begin on Thursday when the probe is blasted into space from Florida on a Space X Falcon rocket.

Its goal – to seek out water on the lunar surface – may seem odd given the moon has traditionally been viewed as an arid, desiccated world. However, scientists have recently uncovered strong hints that it possesses significant quantities of water. It will be the task of Lunar Trailblazer to reveal just how much water there is near the lunar surface and pinpoint its main locations.

The probe's progress will be followed with keen interest by space engineers and astronomers who believe lunar water could play a key role in plans to set up staffed colonies on the moon. Using solar power, water could be turned into its constituent elements of hydrogen and oxygen. The former would then be used as fuel while the latter would allow astronauts to breathe.

"This is primarily a scientific mission," said Prof Neil Bowles, leader of the Oxford University team of physicists who built one of Lunar Trailblazer's main instruments.