Methane From Lunar Landers May Contaminate Ancient Organic Molecules at the Moon's Poles

Methane from Lunar Landers May Contaminate Ancient Organic Molecules at the Moon's Poles

Learn how exhaust methane from lunar spacecraft may pollute the moon, potentially contaminating molecules that are billions of years old.

Lunar Missions May Contaminate Life’s Building Blocks, New Research Reveals

As lunar exploration intensifies, the potential for contamination of the Moon’s surface by spacecraft exhaust has become a growing concern among scientists. A recent study published in Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets highlights how the exhaust gases released during lunar missions could compromise the delicate, pristine environment of the Moon, particularly areas that could contain vital clues to the origins of life on Earth. The Risk of…

Lunar spacecraft exhaust could obscure clues to origins of life

Washington DC (SPX) Jan 08, 2026 Over half of the exhaust methane from lunar spacecraft could end up contaminating areas of the moon that might otherwise yield clues about the origins of earthly life, according to a recent study. The pollution could unfold rapidly regardless of a spacecraft's touchdown site; even for a landing at the South Pole, methane molecules may "hop" across the lunar surface to the North Pole in under two

Lunar Spacecraft Exhaust Could Obscure Clues To Origins Of Life - Astrobiology

Over half of the exhaust methane from lunar spacecraft could end up contaminating areas ofthe moon that might otherwise yield clues about the origins of earthly life, according toa recent study. The pollution could unfold rapidly regardless of a spacecraft’s touchdownsite; even for a landing at the South Pole, methane molecules may “hop” across the […] The post Lunar Spacecraft Exhaust Could Obscure Clues To Origins Of Life appeared first on Ast…