The European Space Agency plans to start mining for water and oxygen on the moon by 2025.
The agency announced that it has signed a 1‑year contract with European aerospace company ArianeGroup to explore mining lunar soil or moon dust.
According to ArianeGroup, water and oxygen can be extracted from lunar soil or moon dust, potentially making it easier for humans to spend time on the moon in the future.
CNN reports the aerospace company said the research could also make it possible to produce rocket fuel on the moon, enabling future expeditions to go further into space.
The project is also part of a wider effort to commemorate the 50th anniversary of mankind's first steps on the moon.
[Source: CNN]
