Origin of Lunar Water and its Role in Enabling Sustainable Solar System Exploration.

The presence of water on the Moon and in lunar samples has emerged as one of the most exciting discoveries in recent times. Multiple sources are believed to have contributed to the lunar water inventory. Understanding the origin of lunar water holds significance that transcends scientific, technological, and societal domains. The Moon is becoming a favourite target for both established and emerging space-faring nations as well as commercial entities. In addition to national pride and scientific curiosity, the resurgence in lunar exploration is driven by a growing recognition of the Moon as a technology testbed for exploring more distant bodies within the Solar System. In this talk, I will outline our pioneering research which contributed to the discovery of water on the Moon and is shaping a vision for the future, envisioning a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface, largely facilitated by the in-situ use of resources, including water.