The UK Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency have launched the Aqualunar Challenge, a £1.2 million international prize aimed at supporting the development of water-purifying technologies for the Moon. The challenge, funded by the UK Space Agency’s International Bilateral Fund and delivered by Challenge Works, aims to make human habitation on the Moon viable by purifying ice buried beneath the lunar surface.

A recent study conducted by polling agency Opinium revealed that 62% of UK adults believe that technologies designed for space exploration should have applications on Earth. Additionally, 86% of respondents expressed interest in seeing technologies developed to purify lunar water adapted for use on Earth, with a focus on addressing environmental challenges such as removing microplastics from the oceans and providing clean drinking water in low-income and drought-prone areas.

The Aqualunar Challenge seeks to address these sentiments by awarding UK-led start-ups with seed funding to develop innovative technologies for purifying water on the Moon. The initiative is a collaboration between the UK Space Agency, the Canadian Space Agency, and Impact Canada, with a focus on sustainability and the design of technologies that can be adapted for use on Earth.

Andrew Griffith MP, Minister for Space at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, expressed optimism about the potential of UK start-ups in contributing to long-term missions on the Moon through the development of innovative technologies. The Aqualunar Challenge serves as a testament to the UK’s commitment to fostering groundbreaking ideas and technological advancements.