Chinese scientists map ice 'treasure map' for Chang'e-7 mission at moon's south pole

Chinese scientists have developed a high-resolution model to assess the thermal stability of water ice in the Shackleton Crater region near the lunar south pole, providing crucial guidance for the Chang'e-7 mission's quest to find and analyze one of the moon's most valuable resources.

The research team from the Key Laboratory of Solar Activity and Space Weather at the National Space Science Center (NSSC) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences developed the lunar polar water-ice thermal stability model.

By incorporating the thermal properties of lunar soil at extremely low temperatures, the model simulates the distribution of surface radiation, soil temperature, and the areas where water ice is thermally stable, according to an NSSC release.

The study, published recently in the Planetary Science Journal, focuses on the area around Shackleton Crater, a candidate landing region for China's Chang'e-7 mission, which is scheduled for launch in 2026.

One of the primary scientific objectives of the lunar probe is to conduct high-precision remote sensing and in-situ detection of water ice at the lunar south pole.

Thermal stability of water ice refers to the difficulty of ice sublimation loss over long-term, geological timescales. Assessing this stability is key to understanding the distribution characteristics of water ice in the lunar polar regions and is particularly significant for guiding the Chang'e-7 mission, China Media Group (CMG) reported on Friday.

The evaluation of water ice stability can guide detection efforts and help identify areas where water ice is more likely to be preserved, the research team said in the NSSC release.

The new model offers a more detailed and precise map of potential ice deposits. "This model can calculate the distribution areas of illumination, lunar soil temperature, and stable regions for volatiles like water ice," the researchers explained.

"It can be applied to analyze the thermal stability of water ice in the lunar south pole, particularly in the landing zone of the Chang'e-7 mission, thereby identifying potential distribution areas for water ice and providing important support for future water ice detection missions," they said.

If lunar water ice is successfully located, it could significantly reduce the cost and time required to transport water from Earth, facilitating the establishment of a human base for long-term activities on the moon and enabling further exploration of Mars or deep space, Tang Yuhua, deputy chief designer of the Chang'e-7 mission, said previously in an interview with CMG.