A recent discovery by Chinese scientists suggests that the far side of the moon may contain less water than the side facing Earth. This finding was made during China’s Chang’e 6 mission, which landed on the far side of the moon in 2024. The mission collected soil and rock samples from the South Pole-Aitken basin, one of the largest impact craters in the solar system. The samples showed water content of less than 1.5 micrograms per gram, much lower than the near side of the moon, where water levels range between 1 and 200 micrograms per gram. This discovery has raised important questions about the composition of the moon and the distribution of water on its surface.

Experts suggest that the difference in water content could be caused by the impact that created the South Pole-Aitken basin, which might have moved water to the near side of the moon. Another possibility is that water distribution may vary vertically across the moon’s surface. While this discovery is significant, it is unlikely to change NASA’s current lunar exploration plans. The Artemis program is still set to send astronauts to the moon’s south pole by 2027, where large ice deposits may be found. These ice reserves could be crucial for future space missions. More research is needed to fully understand the moon’s water and its role in future lunar missions.