Fluvius

The Earth’s half-dome shimmers in the distance, a swirl of blues and whites and greens. My crew huddles around in our spacecraft, seconds left before we set out to explore the Moon’s South Pole. As we leave our pod and take in the dark, craterous surface of the Moon, we tug along the Fluvius, a technology that allows us to harness the Sun’s energy into a beam to melt the ice that hides in the areas of the South Pole that never see the Sun. My eyes rake over its polished surface, admiring the sophisticated design. Our spacecraft technician works to keep our pod in the best shape possible, and our scientist will help us identify and classify the ice we find. My second-in-command and I are in charge of conducting experiments and leading our crew to reach our goal: purifying and liquifying the ice water embedded in lunar soil through the Fluvius. Despite the clear differences in roles, our goal is uniform: turning the ice water of the Moon into drinking water and a sustainable source for future astronauts. The focus, determination, and bravery to embark on the most important space journey of the century is what unites all of us. Each of us is determined not only to explore the surface of the Moon but to leave the technology behind that will change the world. Rocket fuel, drinking water, plant life- the possibilities are endless. The effects of the future of the melted ice from the Moon are still murky, but until then, the Fluvius will do. It will begin the process of melting the ice on the South Pole of the Moon that could take decades. And though this expedition will only last a week, its effects on the world will last a lifetime.