Spacecraft set to map water on the Moon

The Lunar Trailblazer spacecraft carries a state-of-the-art camera to measure lunar surface temperature and confirm locations where water supplies may be found for future extraction

Dr Rory Evans performing optical assembly and alignment on a component of the Lunar Trailblazer spacecraft. Picture: Department of Physics/University of Oxford/PA

Scientists are set to launch a spacecraft this week to map water on the Moon, which could help future efforts to colonise its surface.

The Lunar Trailblazer spacecraft, which will launch from Nasa’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, carries a state-of-the-art camera designed by a team of University of Oxford scientists to measure lunar surface temperature and confirm locations where water supplies may be found for future extraction.