Water on the moon is more widespread than previously thought and could help sustain future missions as drinking water or fuel, NASA announced in October.

The discovery was made by NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA).

“Whether the water SOFIA found is easily accessible for use as a resource remains to be determined,” NASA says.

“Under NASA’s Artemis program, the agency is eager to learn all it can about the presence of water on the Moon in advance of sending the first woman and next man to the lunar surface in 2024 and establishing a sustainable human presence there by the end of the decade.”