As humanity intensifies efforts to return to the Moon, the south pole has emerged as a focal point due to its water ice deposits found within shadowed craters. This resource is vital for advancing sustainable lunar exploration. Water ice can potentially be processed into critical materials such as oxygen, water, and fuel through in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) technologies, paving the way for extended lunar missions and deeper space exploration.
The mission features the Puli Lunar Water Snooper (PLWS), a compact neutron spectrometer developed by Puli Space and awarded by NASA. PLWS is mounted on the Micro Nova Hopper, a propulsive drone designed by Intuitive Machines. The drone will detach from the lunar lander to traverse the Moon's surface and examine the presence of water ice and hydrogen. The mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than February 2025.
ESA's Lunar Science Office has emphasized the significance of the anticipated data and marked a milestone by engaging in its first exploration data buy with Puli Space Technologies. This partnership underscores the growing capabilities within Europe's space sector and establishes a benchmark for future collaborations between public institutions and private enterprises in deep space exploration. ESA plans to appoint a scientific team to collaborate with Puli Space, ensuring that the data is rigorously analyzed and standardized before being released to the public.
"It is impressive to see how far Puli Space and Intuitive Machines have come in preparing this mission and being able to generate this first-of-a-kind data set. We are looking forward to the mission and to the opportunity to see what this data can tell us about the nature of water on the Moon," said James Carpenter, Head of ESA's Lunar Science Office.
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