Permanently shadowed craters at the poles trap water ice. Temperatures are below -250°F (-157°C). Detected by missions like LCROSS and LRO, these deposits could supply future astronauts. Ice survives for billions of years due to lack of sunlight. Even micrometeorite impacts cannot fully vaporize it. It’s mostly in crater floors and hidden niches. Water could support fuel and life support.
This matters because ice is critical for long-term lunar presence. In-situ resource utilization becomes possible. It reduces supply costs from Earth.
It also supports scientific studies of solar system volatiles. Ancient ice may contain clues about comet impacts and early solar activity.
Some polar craters haven’t seen sunlight in over a billion years.
NASA [nasa.gov]