Recent findings from Chinese scientists suggest that the far side of the moon may be drier than the side that faces Earth. This discovery comes after China’s Chang’e 6 mission, which successfully landed on the moon’s far side in 2024. During the mission, soil and rock samples were collected from the South Pole-Aitken basin, one of the largest impact craters in the solar system. The samples revealed a water content of less than 1.5 micrograms per gram, a lower amount compared to samples from the moon’s near side, which have shown water levels ranging between 1 and 200 micrograms per gram. This discovery provides a new understanding of the moon’s composition and raises questions about the differences in water distribution between the two sides of the lunar surface.

Experts suggest that this difference in water content could be due to the impact that created the South Pole-Aitken basin, which may have pushed water elements to the near side of the moon. Alternatively, the distribution of water could vary vertically between the two hemispheres. Although this finding is significant, it is unlikely to change NASA’s current plans for lunar missions. NASA’s Artemis program is still scheduled to send astronauts to the moon’s south pole by 2027, where it is believed large ice deposits could be found. These ice reserves may be vital for supporting future space missions. Further research and additional samples are needed to fully understand the extent of water on the moon and how it could impact future lunar exploration efforts.