{
  "id": 7345185,
  "title": "No cities on the moon — there isn't enough water, scientists say (op-ed)",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/no-cities-on-the-moon-there-isnt-enough-water-scientists-say-op-ed",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-14T15:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Space.com",
    "slug": "space-com",
    "url": "https://www.space.com/astronomy/moon/no-cities-on-the-moon-there-isnt-enough-water-scientists-say-op-ed"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The discovery of water at the poles of the moon has sparked speculation about the possibility of building human settlements there. However, scientists argue that there may not be enough water to sustain these cities and industries for long periods. In a new article in Frontiers in Space Technologies, Dr. Martin Elvis and Dr. Jonathan McDowell break down the feasibility of establishing a city on the moon. Even at the most generous estimates of water availability and recycling efficiency, a city of one million people would only last around 100 years before running out of water. Even with the most optimistic scenario, assuming 98% efficient water recycling, the city would still only last a century. With current estimates suggesting that the moon contains around 30 times less water than a billion tons, a city with just one thousand or ten thousand inhabitants could be sustainable for several centuries or more. While it may be possible to improve water recycling efficiency, use less water, or import water from asteroids, finding more water on the moon's surface is the most promising solution.",
  "summary": "The discovery of water in dark craters at the moon's poles has sparked a \"moon rush\" to establish bases there, and then villages, cities and heavy industry. How sustainable is this rush?",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}