The Lunar Water Rush: Blue Origin and China Race to Unlock the Moon’s Hidden Resource
The interior of the Moon’s Shackleton crater is shrouded in eternal darkness. This not only makes it one of the most mysterious geologic features of the lunar south pole but also one of the most promising for harboring precious resources—most notably water ice.
The prospect of extracting water from the Moon is tantalizing. An in situ water source could support a sustained lunar presence and enable in-space rocket fuel production, turning the Moon into a potential pit stop for deep space missions. The U.S. And China are racing to accomplish this, as whoever does so first will secure a first-mover advantage.
Two Missions, One Goal: Landing Near Shackleton Crater
Each nation plans to land a spacecraft on the rim of Shackleton crater this year. While neither has announced an official launch date, both missions have reached key development milestones, signaling they’re on track to launch in the coming months. They represent the first efforts to attempt controlled landings in one of the Moon’s most coveted regions, kicking off a high-stakes race to claim its water.
Blue Origin’s MK1 Pathfinder: A Stepping Stone to Lunar Logistics
Blue Origin is gearing up for the first demonstration flight of its Blue Moon Mark 1 (MK1) cargo lander in early 2026. The 26-foot-tall lander will launch aboard the company’s New Glenn rocket and touch down near the Shackleton crater to validate its hardware and systems.
MK1 is designed to ferry up to three tons of cargo to the lunar surface. If successful, it will become a valuable asset to NASA, which has already selected MK1 to carry its Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) to the lunar south pole in 2027. VIPER will search for volatile resources, such as water ice, in the Shackleton crater and other permanently shadowed areas.
Currently, MK1 is undergoing testing at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp recently stated the lander had entered a chamber for thermal vacuum testing, simulating the extreme conditions of space and the lunar surface. Final assembly, engine installation and integration with the New Glenn rocket remain before launch.
China’s Chang’e 7: An Ambitious Multi-Payload Approach
China has taken a more aggressive approach to lunar water ice exploration with its Chang’e 7 mission, on track to launch in August. The mission will deliver an orbiter, lander, rover, and “hopper” probe to the Moon.
Like MK1, the Chang’e 7 lander will touch down near the Shackleton crater, deploying the rover and hopper probe. Each payload will carry scientific instruments to study the lunar surface and search for water ice. China could gain at least a year’s head start in the hunt for this resource, as Blue Origin won’t launch NASA’s VIPER rover until 2027.
The Geopolitical Implications of Lunar Water
If China manages to extract Shackleton crater’s water ice before NASA, it would gain a major strategic advantage. While the Outer Space Treaty prohibits nations from claiming sovereign control over lunar resources, the first-mover advantage would allow China to set industry standards, develop proprietary extraction technologies, and establish operational zones.
Controlled lunar landings are extremely challenging, and the rough terrain near the Shackleton crater will add complexity. If these missions succeed this year, 2026 could be a pivotal year in defining the lunar water race.
Did you realize?
Measurements by the Lunar Prospector spacecraft showed higher than normal amounts of hydrogen within Shackleton crater, potentially indicating the presence of water ice.
FAQ: Lunar Water and the Future of Space Exploration
Q: Why is water ice on the Moon important?
A: Water ice could be used to create breathable air, drinking water, and rocket fuel, reducing the need to transport these resources from Earth.
Q: Where is Shackleton crater located?
A: Shackleton crater is located at the lunar south pole, at coordinates 89°40′S 129°47′E.
Q: How big is Shackleton crater?
A: Shackleton crater is 21 kilometers (13 miles) in diameter and 4.2 kilometers (2.6 miles) deep.
Q: What is the Outer Space Treaty?
A: The Outer Space Treaty prohibits nations from claiming sovereignty over celestial bodies, including the Moon.
Q: What is the significance of the permanently shadowed regions of the Moon?
A: These regions are extremely cold and can trap water ice for billions of years.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on Blue Origin and the Chinese National Space Agency’s official websites for the latest updates on their respective missions.
Explore more about lunar exploration and the search for resources here.
