At first blush, the lunar surface would seem an extremely unlikely place to find water-- in the form of ice or otherwise. Yet, two U. S. probes in the 1990s, Clementine and Lunar Prospector, found evidence suggesting water ice may in fact exist on the floors of deep craters near the lunar poles, where the heat of solar radiation never reaches.
Now, NASA is set to try to solve the mystery. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter will map the lunar surface in detail. At the same time, an impactor will be sent roaring into the lunar surface where ice might exist. LRO will also monitor the plume created by the impact, in search of traces of water vapor.
Positive results would be a boost for NASA. Negative results would likely mean the debate about lunar water ice would continue.
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