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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science
Ian Sample Science editor

Glass beads on moon’s surface may hold billions of tonnes of water, scientists say

The moon
‘The potential for exploring the moon in a sustainable manner is higher than it’s ever been,’ Prof Mahesh Anand said. Photograph: Michael Sohn/AP

Tiny glass beads strewn across the moon’s surface contain potentially billions of tonnes of water that could be extracted and used by astronauts on future lunar missions, researchers say.

The discovery is thought to be one of the most important breakthroughs yet for space agencies that have set their sights on building bases on the moon, as it means there could be a highly accessible source of not only water but also hydrogen and oxygen.

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