Elon Musk wants a ‘self-growing city’ on the Moon within 10 years: Does the Moon have enough water for a

The prospect of a self-growing city on the Moon within a decade, as articulated by Elon Musk, hinges on the feasibility of sustainable resource utilization. A primary concern for establishing any long-term human presence beyond Earth is access to water. Water is essential not only for life support, such as drinking and hygiene, but also for potential industrial uses like rocket fuel production and agriculture.

Recent scientific missions have confirmed the presence of water ice in permanently shadowed craters at the Moon's poles. While the exact quantity and accessibility of this lunar water remain subjects of ongoing research and technological development, its existence is a critical factor in any serious discussion about lunar colonization. The ability to extract and process this ice would significantly reduce the cost and complexity of transporting water from Earth, making ambitious projects like a self-growing lunar settlement more plausible.