New research shows how water would behave on the moon

Researchers have discovered how water behaves differently on the moon compared to Earth, which could impact future lunar plant cultivation efforts. The study, led by John Z. Kiss, Karl H. Hasenstein, and Christopher P. McKay, used simulated lunar gravity during a 10-minute flight in February 2025. The findings, published in Microgravity Science and Technology, show that surface tension plays a more significant role in water flow under lunar gravity, causing liquids to flow less freely.

To mimic lunar gravity, the experiment was spun like a centrifuge during descent, allowing the researchers to observe the behavior of three liquids: pure water, a 30% glycerol solution, and a salt solution. The glycerol solution was found to have better water flow, suggesting that additives could be useful in promoting water absorption for plants in lunar soil.

Lunar soil is composed of fine dust and rock fragments, making it ineffective at absorbing water, which poses a challenge for plant growth on the moon. The researchers emphasize the need for further research, including longer-term experiments and real lunar tests, to validate these results and improve lunar plant irrigation systems.