A new experiment has revealed how water moves in lunar gravity. The study was published in the journal Microgravity Science and Technology in 2026. It could help astronauts grow food on the moon.

The test flew on Blue Origin’s New Shepard 29 mission in February 2025. The flight lasted about 10 minutes. By rotating during descent, the craft created simulated lunar gravity for around two minutes.

Researchers tested three liquids: pure water, a 30 per cent glycerol solution, and a salt solution. Cameras recorded how each liquid’s curved surface, the meniscus, reacted inside containers. An accelerometer measured the exact gravity levels.

Water behaves differently at one-sixth of Earth’s gravity. Lunar farms may need irrigation systems designed for lower gravity. They could rely more on capillary action and controlled pressure than Earth-style watering. The team wants longer experiments next, possibly on the moon itself. The hardware worked perfectly, which the researchers called a major success.