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NASA Finds Lots of Water on Moon

Rocket probe discovers large amounts of ice

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 13, 2009 1:28 PM CST
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(Newser) – A NASA probe has turned up water on the moon. Lots of water. “We practically tasted it with the impact,” said a geologist. The discovery—made last month after the space agency blasted the probe into the moon to study the debris—raises the chances of one day setting up a lunar outpost. What's more, the frozen water could hold clues to the origins of the universe.

Water has been found on the moon before, but in very small amounts and only bound to dirt particles. The presence of large quantities of ice will be helpful for astronauts participating in extended moonwalks planned for 2020—both for drinking and for conversion into hydrogen for rocket fuel, Space.com reports.

This artist's rendering provided by NASA via Brown University shows the Centaur upper stage rocket separating from its shepherding spacecraft on a trajectory toward the moon.
This artist's rendering provided by NASA via Brown University shows the Centaur upper stage rocket separating from its shepherding spacecraft on a trajectory toward the moon.   (AP Photo/NASA)
This image provided by NASA shows the first image taken of the moon from the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite Friday morning Oct. 9, 2009.
This image provided by NASA shows the first image taken of the moon from the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite Friday morning Oct. 9, 2009.   (AP Photo/NASA)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 14 comments
cornelison
Nov 14, 2009 4:19 AM CST
Congratulations, NASA! You keep giving us the dream to know more.
riffran
Nov 13, 2009 11:57 AM CST
moon Lager....lmao...niiiiiice,one wonka....and for circus dog....I wish there was a way to add sound to the comments...ba da da *crash*....thumbs up ..."no atmosphere"...oh yeah!
Guzelvis
Nov 13, 2009 10:22 AM CST
Funny stories of how we attacked the moon http://bit.ly/4jX5Y2 ... and it surrendered http://bit.ly/3MKCHC

 
NASA • space exploration • water • moon • moon landings • hydrogen • moon walk • moonwalk • lunar

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