The world is on a lunar high, as National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) confirmed reports of water on the moon. In October, NASA conducted a mission to impact the Cabeus crater of the moon and, for the last month, has been analyzing data from the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite, or LCROSS, to confirm what was thought to be bursts of water as a result of the crash.
After reviewing data from spectrometers, NASA confirmed the reports and said that there were more than 25 gallons of water that was kicked up from the crash.
The mission was a two-part process. LCROSS and the Centaur rocket, which were initially joined together, separated as they approached the moon. Kenneth Chang, who covered the story for the New York Times, reported that the rocket was traveling at a reported 5,600 miles per hour; the rocket then crashed into a crater, creating a 60 to 100 feet wide hole. After the event, using LCROSS, the next step was to record and measure the area and its debris.
The bottom of the Cabeus crater is frigidly cold, more than -300 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if water is in abundance, NASA may have discovered a very important factor in promoting the colonization of the moon. If through further research and expeditions a large amount of water (lunar ice) is found, lunar inhabitation could be more than just an idea. The hydrogen and oxygen could be split from lunar ice—possibly providing breathable oxygen and hydrogen.
Nyekah Washington, a junior chemical engineering major, is excited about the breakthrough.
“It’s a very good discovery for man, especially with the speculation about the Mormons and how the world is supposed to end in 2012,” Washington said. “It’s great to add something else to the situation. We could have people living on the moon!”
Now that this discovery has been made, many are hopefully expecting more from NASA, which is still being evaluated by the blue ribbon panel designated by the Obama Administration. The panel is led by Norman Augustine, the former CEO of Lockheed Martin and former leader of the 1990 Advisory Committee on the Future of the U.S. Space Program. The panel will be evaluating the processes and efficiencies of NASA and its exploration objectives.
Internationally, the discovery may be more controversial than celebratory. With many new discoveries, there is still the issue over who owns the rights to the discovery. The Outer Space Treaty, initially signed in 1967, forbids governments from claiming the resources of the moon or any planet.
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