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Lunar Science

All articles tagged with #lunar science

NASA Launches 'Ignition' to Build Permanent Lunar Base by 2032

NASA has unveiled a $20 billion, three-phase plan to establish a permanent human presence on the Moon by 2032. The initiative, named 'Ignition,' focuses on the lunar south pole to exploit water ice and sunlight. Recent selections of three new robotic science missions will map hazards, search for underground lava tubes, and locate ice reserves to ensure safety and resource availability before human arrival.

via DOGO News|

#artemis #lunar-science #moon-base

science10 days ago•212 min saved

Orbital Data Confirms Ancient Lunar Dynamo via Buried Volcanic Complex

A new study confirms the Moon possessed a magnetic field 4.2 billion years ago by analyzing a buried volcanic complex on its far side. Researchers combined gravity and magnetic data from orbital probes to identify a dense, magnetized rock body, resolving a long-standing debate about the lunar dynamo.

via CNN|

#geophysics #lunar-science #magnetism

science2 months ago•52 min saved

SpaceX Moon impact to unlock new ejecta science on Aug. 5

On Aug. 5, 2026, a spent SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage will crash into the Moon near Einstein crater, likely generating a bright ejecta plume up to 75–100 km high that could be visible from Earth with telescopes for minutes. Scientists from UT Austin and Los Alamos say the event will provide a rare opportunity to study ejecta‑plume dynamics, test methods to localize impacts, and assess hazards from artificial space debris for future lunar missions, with NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter monitoring the site before and after the impact to aid observations and science.

via Yahoo|

#ejecta-plume #lunar-science #moon

space5 months ago•5 min saved

Artemis 2 Crew Witnesses Rare Far-Side Moon Meteoroid Flashes

Artemis 2 astronauts observed brief meteoroid impact flashes on the Moon’s far side with the naked eye, a rare sight that yields data on how often such impacts occur, the craters they create, and how shock waves travel through the lunar interior. The sightings bolster ongoing citizen science efforts and NASA data collection, with crew imagery and transcripts to be released publicly to aid lunar science and future outpost planning like Artemis Base Camp.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#artemis-2 #impact-flash #lunar-science

space6 months ago•2 min saved

Artemis II yields a lunar data jackpot, reshaping early Moon science

NASA’s Artemis II is delivering a jackpot of lunar data—from live meteoroid impact flashes to ancient far-side lava flows—while testing the mission’s architecture; the crew pushed farther from Earth than any humans, signaling major early insights into the Moon and its history.

via The Boston Globe|

#artemis-ii #lunar-science #moon

science6 months ago•13 min saved

Artemis II: Dazzling Moon views, modest science payoff

Artemis II delivered striking lunar imagery and a unique human-perceived science dataset, but space-science experts say the short mission is unlikely to yield decadal-scale discoveries; its main value is public engagement and proving human-in-the-loop science, with substantive science expected from future crewed landings around 2028 as NASA refines instruments, mission operations, and target selection (e.g., Ohm crater) for future exploration.

via Ars Technica|

#artemis-ii #lunar-science #moon

space8 months ago•4 min saved

Artemis 2 to Spotlight the Moon’s Hidden Far Side

NASA’s Artemis 2 will launch four astronauts on a 10‑day crewed lunar flyby to test systems and, for the first time, observe the Moon’s far side from a distant orbit. The crew will target features such as Mare Orientale and the South Pole–Aitken Basin, studying color and albedo while searching for impact flashes, in a mission that could expand our scientific view of the Moon ahead of future surface exploration.

via Gizmodo|

#artemis-2 #lunar-science #moon-far-side

science1 year ago•3 min saved

NASA's Artemis II Mission Prepares for Lunar Exploration and Future Missions

NASA's Artemis II mission will send four astronauts on a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon, conducting scientific investigations to inform future lunar and Mars missions. The crew will analyze lunar surface features, observe the far side of the Moon, and gather data on space environment effects, helping to prepare for Artemis III and future deep space exploration.

via NASA Science (.gov)|

#artemis-ii #lunar-science #moon

space-exploration2 years ago•3 min saved

"NASA Chooses Lunar Tools and Vehicles for Artemis Missions"

NASA has selected the first science instruments for astronauts to deploy on the Moon during Artemis III, aimed at collecting data about the lunar environment, interior, and sustaining human presence. The instruments will address key science objectives and were chosen for their unique installation requirements. These include the Lunar Environment Monitoring Station (LEMS) for seismic monitoring, Lunar Effects on Agricultural Flora (LEAF) for studying plant growth in space, and the Lunar Dielectric Analyzer (LDA) for measuring lunar regolith properties. These instruments will play a crucial role in advancing lunar science and preparing for human missions to Mars.

via NASA|

#artemis-iii #lunar-science #moon

space-exploration2 years ago•3 min saved

"Private-Sector Moon Missions: NASA's Return to the Lunar Surface"

NASA's suite of science instruments and technology demonstrations, including a CubeSat-sized experiment, retroreflectors, Lidar-based guidance system, and more, are on their way to the Moon aboard Intuitive Machines' Nova-C lander, which launched from Kennedy Space Center. These deliveries are part of NASA's CLPS initiative and Artemis campaign, aiming to better understand the lunar surface environment, test technologies for future landers, and support long-term human exploration. The mission will gather valuable scientific data about the Moon's South Pole region, paving the way for the first woman and first person of color to explore the Moon under Artemis.

via NASA|

#artemis #intuitive-machines #lunar-science

science-and-astronomy3 years ago•2 min saved

"Join the Global Celebration: International Observe the Moon Night"

Tonight is "International Observe the Moon Night," where people are encouraged to step outside and observe the moon, which will be nearly half-illuminated in its first quarter phase. NASA has provided a list of ways to celebrate the event and find local events. The goal is to raise awareness of lunar science and exploration missions, such as NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and Artemis program, and to inspire people to learn more about the moon. The event aims to unite people worldwide in honoring the moon and its significance.

via Space.com|

#astronomy #international-observe-the-moon-night #lunar-science

space-exploration3 years ago•1 min saved

"The Lunar South Pole: A Battleground in the New Space Race"

Russia and India are both planning to land robotic probes near the South Pole of the Moon in the coming days. The missions, Luna-25 and Chandrayaan-3, aim to explore the potential presence of water on the Moon, which could make human settlements more feasible. However, the significance of these missions goes beyond science, as Russia seeks to regain international collaboration after its isolation due to the invasion of Ukraine, and India aims to raise its profile in the space industry. The article discusses the challenges of reaching a legal consensus for the use of the Moon in an increasingly polarized world.

via The Economist|

#international-collaboration #lunar-science #moon-missions