the project aims to move beyond orbital observations by deploying a suite of specialized instruments directly to the lunar surface. By utilizing a combination of radar, gravity sensors, and seismic equipment, researchers hope to map the subsurface...

heavily on robotic platforms. Artemis II shifts this paradigm by placing human observers back in the vicinity of the lunar surface. The mission, which carried a four-person crew on a transit around the Moon and back, allowed for a nuanced, real-time...

(CREDIT: Robert Wagner et al, Science Advances) Impact Effects Beyond the Crater The energy of the event reshaped the lunar surface far beyond the immediate point of impact. Detailed imaging revealed a continuous blanket of debris surrounding the site,...

The initiative demonstrates how historic observations can acquire fresh relevance as private ventures move closer to the lunar surface. Legacy Data Shapes Commercial Moon Strategies Although the Moon appears desolate from Earth, its regolith holds...

are granted recurring opportunities to ferry scientific instruments, prototype hardware, and operational systems to the lunar surface. This framework encourages private development while aligning with NASA’s long‑term exploration objectives. Blue Origin...

Danuri’s camera captured the impact site created by a SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage following its collision with the lunar surface on Aug. 5, 2026. Credit: KARI The impact was recorded at 2:34 a.m. EDT (0634 GMT), matching orbital predictions. Analysts...

under the auspices of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. During an October 14 gathering of the Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium, representatives from both companies detailed their plans to conduct precision landings near...

and future exploration hardware. Distribution of methane activation energies and corresponding residence times on the lunar surface, based on values estimated by Hodges (2016). Credit: Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets. Senior author Silvio...

further confirming that Earth’s radio footprint is a significant hurdle to overcome. The next major milestone is the Lunar Surface Electromagnetics Experiment-Night (LuSEE-Night). Unlike its predecessor, this mission is specifically engineered to...

in a frame captured by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), a massive, bright impact scar stood out against the lunar surface, marked by a distinct dark halo. “I just stopped, dropped everything, and started looking into what that spot was,”...

appeared after a significant celestial body—estimated to be the size of a three- to six-story building—slammed into the lunar surface sometime between April 11 and May 22, 2024. The impact site, located on the Moon’s eastern edge, spans 728 feet in...

NASA readies Artemis III with fresh lunar lander tests to boost confidence ahead of the next crewed Moon landing. NASA is gearing up for Artemis III, the next crewed mission that aims to land astronauts near the Moon’s south‑polar region, by launching...

threat. Experts warn that the same radio interference that now masks the cosmos from Earth could soon migrate to the lunar surface, potentially obscuring signals like the legendary 1977 “Wow!” signal, which would be nearly impossible to distinguish from...

well beyond low‑Earth orbit, enabling astronauts, rovers, and orbiters to operate with greater independence around the lunar surface. Miniature Hardware, Deep‑Space Reach Measuring roughly half the size of a shoebox and weighing just 3.5 lb, the...

of geologists from the University of Western Ontario has leveraged volcanic sites in Hawaii to refine interpretations of lunar surface data, shedding light on the Moon’s volcanic past. By pairing on‑the‑ground observations with remote sensing from...

New infrared analysis reveals Mercury’s surface has far less silicon dioxide than previously thought, pointing to a much more intense volcanic history. New analytical data suggests that the surface of Mercury is significantly less rich in silicon...

NASA announced Tuesday that it has selected three American companies to carry cargo and scientific payloads to the lunar surface, allocating almost $600 million toward the effort. The contracts are part of a broader push to lay the groundwork for a...

The goal is to develop capabilities that allow astronauts to manufacture essential tools and parts directly on the lunar surface, drastically lowering the cost and risk of mission failures caused by supply shortages. “NASA is accelerating the...

Venera 13 survived Venus’s crushing heat and pressure far beyond its 32‑minute design, transmitting data long after the surface threatened to crush it. When the Soviet Venera 13 lander touched down on Venus on 1 March 1982, engineers had anticipated...

lacks the plate boundary concentration seen on Earth, these seismic events can occur across virtually any part of the lunar surface. “The number of these young faults revealed in LROC images is much greater than I ever imagined,” said Thomas R. Watters,...