NASA's moonshot splashes up water, raises hopes of colonization

Recently, the AP reported on NASA's probe last year which found water on the moon.

NPR interviewed Michael Wargo, NASA's chief lunar scientist, about the findings , while NASA's website discusses the reasons for the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter

National Geographic talks about what else was found in the NASA probe: silver and mercury. The elements give clues to why water on the moon is concentrated at the poles. Water and vaporized elements migrate toward the cooler poles.

Why is this important? In 2009 MSNBC explained that finding water on the moon boosts hopes that the moon could be colonized. The water could be a source of drinking water. It could also be broken into hydrogen and oxygen atoms, which could be used in rocket fuel. That means the moon could be used as a base for rocket launches.

Dale McFeatters discusses these hopes and comments on how Obama's canceling NASA's plans for a manned return to the moon should be rethought.