China uses world’s biggest radio telescope to map lunar south pole water ice

China has mapped lunar south pole water ice using the world's largest radio telescope, FAST, and a new radar system. The findings suggest water ice is buried deep beneath the surface, making extraction challenging. Only 6% of material in the top 33 feet of lunar soil is ice. This research could inform future lunar missions and base designs, but more study is needed. China's upcoming Chang'e-7 mission aims to investigate lunar water ice availability in-situ next year.