NASA scientist examining an instrument capable of helping to locate water under the lunar surface at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, USA. It will be installed on NASAs VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover) set to land on Mons Mouton near the Moons South Pole in late 2024. The Neutron Spectrometer System (NSS) is a part of VIPERs suite of instruments that will allow it to study the distribution of water and other potential resources on the Moon. The system targets its search for hydrogen, which is a telltale sign of water (H2O). The Moons surface constantly radiates particles called neutrons. When neutrons collide with something similar in mass, such as a hydrogen atom, the neutrons lose energy quickly. The NSS detects this change, making it essential in mapping potential sites where water may be present up to three feet below the surface and helping scientists decide where to drill in search of water.