NASA just published a Technical Memorandum on its Lunar Water ISRU Measurement Study (LWIMS). The TM describes the establishment of a measurement plan for identification and characterization of a water reserve on the Moon. This program would support the Artemis program to achieve a sustainable lunar presence by 2028.
Three primary data inputs feed information into the system. First, predictive modeling provides a ‘water favorability’ index to map out locations on the Moon with water ice potential. This algorithm is fed data by orbital measurements providing information on a regional scale. It is critical that this orbital data is interpreted properly for water-favorable sites on the Moon. To ensure accuracy, lunar landers will take surface measurements in a series of three phases: mobile reconnaissance for validation of the predictive model, focused exploratory missions to verify water’s presence and final reserve mapping to inform an ISRU ice mining plant by 2028.