London, Sep 24 - The discovery of water on the moon by Indian maiden lunar craft Chandrayaan-1 is just the breakthrough international space scientists were waiting for in order to kick start the moon exploration programme again, the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) said Thursday.

'This is a massively impressive accomplishment,' RAS Secretary Martin Barstow, a leading British astronomer, told IANS after American scientists made the stunning announcement that the Indian mooncraft had sent evidence of water on the lunar surface.

'I have nothing but praise for the Indian space programme - it is excellent.

'The discovery of water is significant not only for reasons of science, but also for the sheer practical reason of returning to moon exploration, especially by the US,' said Barstow, who is pro-vice chancellor and professor of astrophysics and space science at the University of Leicester.

Barstow said if the moon had a sufficient quantity of water, then it would be possible to 'unlock that water' and set up a processing plant.

'You could release the water and have a supply of water, which in turn means you could save on having to take up a kit with you and make future space explorations less expensive.'

Barstow was particularly excited over the prospects of the US now reviving its lunar exploration programme, saying there is a 'huge amount of science to be done' on the moon -- with implications for the Mars exploration programme as well.