The Aqualunar Challenge seeks innovative water purification solutions for the moon, with broader implications for Earth and space missions like Mars.

The UK Space Agency's International Bilateral Fund is providing Pounds 30,000 to UK-led teams participating in the challenge.

Ten UK teams have received £30,000 in seed funding from the UK Space Agency to develop reliable water supply solutions for the moon.

Extracting and purifying water from lunar ice in craters, especially at the south pole, is crucial due to the risks and costs of relying on Earth's water supply.

Successful water extraction is essential for NASA's Artemis mission to establish a lunar base by the end of this decade.

Finalist technologies in the challenge include TiDAR, SonoChem System, and Ganymede's Chalice for water purification on the Moon.

Naicker's team plans to use a microwave to treat dirty lunar ice with sound waves in vacuum conditions at -200C for water purification.

Various UK finalists propose methods like heating lunar ice, UV light, filtration systems, plasma torches, and sublimation for water extraction on the moon.

Finalists are exploring adapting their technologies for use in war-torn areas, developing countries, and other planetary bodies beyond the moon.

Aqualunar technologies developed may find applications on Earth, particularly in water-stressed regions.