Scientists Test a New Lunar Ice Drill | Video

The south polar region is of great interest to lunar researchers and explorers because the low angle of the Sun on the horizon leads to areas of partial or even complete shadow.

Inside these shadowed areas are permanently dark crater floors where sunlight never reaches. These areas are believed to hide water ice and other frozen volatiles.

The loud noise heard during this test is not the drill itself, but a feed of liquid nitrogen used to maintain the temperature of the lunar soil simulant being drilled down through at -140C.

This cold temperature is typical of the expected landing site of Luna-27, however the permanently shadowed areas of the Moon are known to be even colder, down to -240C.

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