BEIJING: Chinese scientists have unveiled a groundbreaking method for generating large quantities of water using lunar soil samples brought back from the Chang’e-5 mission in 2020, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
The Chang’e-5 mission marked the first retrieval of lunar samples in 44 years. Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have found that the minerals in this moon soil contain significant amounts of hydrogen. When heated to extremely high temperatures, this hydrogen reacts with other elements to produce water vapor.
CCTV reported that after three years of detailed research and repeated testing, scientists developed a new method capable of producing substantial amounts of water from lunar soil. This discovery is expected to be crucial for designing future lunar research stations and space stations.
The breakthrough could significantly impact China’s long-term goal of establishing a permanent lunar outpost, as well as the ongoing U.S.-China competition to explore and exploit lunar resources. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has previously expressed concerns about China’s rapid advancements in space technology and the potential for Beijing to dominate key lunar resources.
Using this new technique, one ton of lunar soil can generate approximately 51-76 kilograms of water. This amount is equivalent to over a hundred 500ml bottles of water or the daily water needs of 50 people, according to CCTV.
China aims to use its lunar missions to lay the groundwork for the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), a project in collaboration with Russia. The Chinese space agency plans to establish a “basic station” on the moon’s south pole by 2035, with a moon-orbiting space station to follow by 2045.
This announcement coincides with ongoing experiments on lunar samples returned by the Chang’e-6 mission, which brought back soil from the far side of the moon. The potential uses of lunar water extend beyond sustaining human life; it could also be used to create hydrogen rocket fuel for deeper space exploration, including missions to Mars.
