Scientists claim they can now turn lunar soil into drinking water

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Scientists in China have developed a technique that could transform lunar soil into drinking water, potentially making human habitation on the Moon more feasible.

After scaling, this innovative method can produce up to 50 kilograms (almost 50 litres) of water from one tonne of lunar soil, which is a significant advancement towards sustaining future lunar missions, reports Independent.

Published in the The Innovation journal, the study details a process where lunar soil, or regolith, is heated above 1,200 Kelvin using concave mirrors. This high-temperature treatment releases hydrogen trapped in the Moon's minerals, particularly ilmenite, which has tiny tunnels that store hydrogen from the solar wind. The reaction can produce around 51 to 76 milligrams of water per gram of molten soil.

This new approach is not only a major advancement in space exploration but also offers a practical solution for water supply on the Moon. Researchers estimate that the method could provide enough water for 50 astronauts for one day, making it a crucial resource for extended lunar missions.

The technique's ability to generate significant amounts of water from lunar regolith, especially when subjected to electron irradiation, opens up exciting possibilities.

This water could be used for drinking and even for growing plants, supporting long-term lunar habitats.