13 March 2025, Hyderabad – In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists analyzing data from India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission have found strong indications that water-ice may be present in locations beyond the Moon’s polar regions. The new analysis, based on data collected by the Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE) instrument, reveals that specific high-latitude regions could provide suitable conditions for the accumulation and preservation of water-ice beneath the lunar surface.
This discovery challenges the widely held belief that water ice on the Moon exists solely in the permanently shadowed craters of the polar regions. The findings suggest that certain inclined surfaces in the Moon’s high latitudes—particularly those facing away from direct sunlight—may harbor water-ice deposits similar to those found in the polar regions.
A New Perspective on Lunar Water
Since the first confirmation of water molecules on the Moon by NASA’s Moon Mineralogy Mapper aboard Chandrayaan-1 in 2009, scientists have sought to better understand the distribution and accessibility of lunar water. Until now, it was believed that the extreme cold of permanently shadowed craters at the lunar poles was necessary for water-ice to remain stable. However, Chandrayaan-3’s recent findings suggest that non-polar regions may also serve as cold traps for water-ice.
ChaSTE, one of the key scientific instruments aboard Chandrayaan-3, was designed to measure surface and sub-surface temperatures on the Moon. Scientists at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad, who analyzed the data, found that temperatures in high-latitude regions varied significantly over very short distances. This suggests that small changes in elevation and slope orientation can create micro-environments where water-ice can persist, even outside the polar zones.
According to PRL scientists, areas with slopes greater than 14 degrees and facing away from the Sun exhibited much lower temperatures than surrounding terrains. These inclined surfaces, found at high latitudes, may offer environments cold enough to trap and retain water-ice below the lunar surface.
Implications for Future Lunar Missions
The potential discovery of water-ice beyond the poles is a game-changer for future lunar exploration. Water is a critical resource for sustaining human presence on the Moon, serving as drinking water, a component for breathable oxygen, and a source of hydrogen for fuel production. If water-ice can be accessed more easily in non-polar regions, it would significantly enhance the feasibility of long-term lunar missions.
“This discovery opens new avenues for lunar exploration and habitation,” said Dr. K. Sivan, former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). “If we can confirm the presence of water-ice in these high-latitude regions, it will reduce the logistical challenges of extracting and utilizing lunar water.”
The presence of water-ice in non-polar regions could also influence the selection of future landing sites for robotic and human missions. NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon by the end of the decade, could benefit from these findings by targeting new locations with easier access to water resources.
How Chandrayaan-3’s ChaSTE Instrument Works
ChaSTE is specifically designed to study the thermal properties of the Moon’s surface. During its mission, the instrument recorded the first-ever in-situ temperature measurements from the high-latitude lunar surface, revealing a stark temperature gradient. Scientists noted that there was nearly a 60-degree Celsius difference between the surface temperature and the temperature just 10 centimeters below it. This indicates that the lunar regolith (surface material) is a poor conductor of heat, which helps preserve ice in shaded regions.
The findings from ChaSTE complement previous observations from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and China’s Chang’e missions, which also suggested the existence of hidden ice deposits beyond the poles. However, Chandrayaan-3’s direct measurements provide much-needed ground-truth validation of these earlier remote-sensing studies.
Challenges in Confirming the Presence of Ice
Despite the strong indications of water-ice, scientists acknowledge that more research is needed to confirm its presence definitively. Future missions equipped with drilling and spectroscopic analysis tools will be necessary to physically detect and analyze subsurface ice deposits.
One of the biggest challenges in confirming lunar water-ice is differentiating it from other hydrogen-bearing materials, such as hydroxyl compounds. While remote sensing instruments can detect the signature of hydrogen, distinguishing between molecular water (H₂O) and hydroxyl (OH) remains a complex task.
ISRO has already planned follow-up studies using data from upcoming lunar missions, including Chandrayaan-4, which may carry more advanced instruments capable of direct water-ice detection.
A New Era in Lunar Science
The revelation that water-ice could exist outside the Moon’s polar regions represents a paradigm shift in lunar science. If confirmed, it would redefine our understanding of the Moon’s hydrological cycle and its potential for supporting future space exploration.
“The Moon is still full of surprises,” said Dr. Anil Bhardwaj, Director of PRL. “Every new discovery brings us closer to understanding our celestial neighbor and leveraging its resources for humanity’s future in space.”
As the world gears up for a new era of lunar exploration, Chandrayaan-3’s findings could play a crucial role in shaping strategies for sustainable human presence on the Moon. With water-ice potentially more widespread than previously thought, the dream of establishing lunar bases may be closer to reality than ever before.
