In 2027, this is how scientists will drill into the Moon’s south pole for water ice

Is there water hiding under the Moon’s surface? And how are we going to drill for it? In 2027, ESA’s Prospect mission will head to the Moon’s south pole to look for water ice locked beneath the frozen ground. Using the ProSEED drill and the ProSPA mini lab, it will dig below the surface, collect samples, and search for volatile resources that could one day provide water, oxygen, and rocket fuel. Prospect will ride to the surface aboard Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C lander on the IM-4 mission as part of NASA’s CLPS programme, with operations lasting about one lunar day, or 10 Earth days. Prospect stands for Package for Resource Observation, in-Situ Prospecting for Exploration, Characterisation & Testing. Video credit: ESA/ATG Medialab