A Problem in the ‘Pits of Eternal Darkness’? Scientists Pour Cold Water on Future Moon Colony Plans

Scientists from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics found that the Moon's "pits of eternal darkness" may not have enough water ice to support long-term human colonies. The study suggests that even smaller settlements with fewer than 10,000 people could survive for centuries with the available water. The researchers also noted that other technologies could reveal more water in the future. The study estimates that the Moon's pits contain up to a billion tons of water, with the most concentrated near the poles. However, even with this amount, large colonies would struggle to sustain themselves without additional water sources.

The study calculated that even a colony of one million people would run out of water in just over a century if current recycling rates are maintained. The researchers proposed building solar energy towers to generate power, using materials abundant on the Moon. They also suggested that smaller settlements could sustain themselves for centuries with the available water. The study warns that current water surveying techniques do not reach below the surface more than a few meters, limiting the amount of water that can be accessed.

The study highlights that while the Moon has significant water reserves, the amount is not enough to support large-scale human settlements. It also suggests that alternative solutions, such as improved water recycling and asteroid mining, could help sustain long-term lunar habitation. The research team emphasized that the Moon's water ice is not enough to support the types of cities envisioned by industrialists and science fiction authors.

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