Topic:Sampling and Detection Technology of Icy Lunar Regolith

Review of the Lunar Regolith and Water Ice on the Poles of the Moon

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  • 1. Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China;
    2. Institute of Mechanical And Electrical Engineering,Harbin Institute of Technology,Harbin 150001,China;
    3. Jilin University, Changchun 130021,China;
    4. China Academy of Space Technology, Beijing 100094;
    5. Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029;
    6. Spacety Luxembourg S.A.9, L-4362 Esch-sur-Alzette Luxembourg;
    7. The University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg R232E9,Canada

Received date: 07 Dec 2021

Revised date: 06 Jan 2022

Published date: 20 May 2022

Abstract

Water can be trapped at permanently shadowed regions(PSRs)of the Moon for billions of years due to the extremely low temperatures. Polar exploration targeting water ice can help us understand water evolution and future resource utilization. This study reviews lunar explorations and theoretical studies about the Moon’s pole in past decades. Firstly,we introduce the geological features,illuminating conditions and thermal environment on the poles of the Moon. Secondly,we present the geological evolution of ice-bearing regolith and possible forms of water ice. Thirdly,we summarize all the methods of water detection and water distribution on the Moon. Lastly,we propose a basic standard for producing lunar regolith simulants based on measurements of Apollo samples. This study aims to present a general knowledge of lunar polar geology and provide a reference for future lunar polar exploration.

Cite this article

LI Xiongyao, WEI Guangfei, ZENG Xiaojia, LI Yang, TANG Hong, LIU Jianzhong, JIANG Shengyuan, ZOU Meng, MA Jinan, WANG Chu, HE Huaiyu, ZHENG Wanping, CLOUTICS Edward . Review of the Lunar Regolith and Water Ice on the Poles of the Moon[J]. Journal of Deep Space Exploration, 2022 , 9(2) : 123 -133 . DOI: 10.15982/j.issn.2096-9287.2022.20210147

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