Celestial Cistern: A Solution to Lunar Aqua Absence

The countdown blares overhead as I feel the rumble of the engines beneath me. I rub the good-luck-charm in my hand. Even though we are all highly educated in the STEM fields, worry seeps in. Expectations for NASA's first all-female crew compound the weight on my shoulders. I know better than to let it get the best of me; I have a job to do and a crew to look after. Our expedition is a giant leap for women everywhere and a stepping stone to moon habitation. The smaller, redesigned Artemis crew module contains three of us who have become like family as we trained together. Our nickname is the “Sally Riders,” upholding the legacy of the first American female astronaut and paving the way for future women to follow. Riley is my right-hand woman; she is an ex-jet fighter and chemist. While she lives for the adrenaline rush, she always knows how to stay cool-headed under pressure. Mia, a biologist, supports the team with her EMS training and medical knowledge. I’m an electrical engineer by trade and known for my quick thinking. We have a special device on board that will be used as a Foundational Water System (FWS) on the moon. It will be left in the highly explored South Pole, awaiting the first colony of lunar explorers. By using high-frequency sound in addition to heat, the water molecules can be released from their small glass and mineral capsules. This mixture can then be distilled, leaving the pure, drinkable water behind. Additionally, the device can be attached to a hydrogen tank that can then be combined with the oxygen in silicon dioxide after it breaks apart to produce more water. With this device, a cistern on the moon will be established, thus satisfying another lunar challenge. Liftoff!