LUNAR LANDING
Exploring lunar caves: Scientists discover potential homes for future
Scientists have detected a large underground cave near the Apollo 11 landing site on the moon. The cave, potentially 130 feet wide, could offer protection from cosmic radiation and other hazards for future lunar missions. NASA and other countries are eyeing the moon for exploration and research.
Scientists have confirmed a cave on the moon that could be used to shelter future explorers
Scientists have confirmed the existence of a cave on the moon near the Apollo 11 landing site, potentially offering shelter for future astronauts. Located at the Sea of Tranquility, 250 miles from where Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed, the cave is accessible from the deepest known pit on the moon. This discovery, led by an Italian team using NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter data, suggests there could be hundreds of similar pits and lava tubes. These natural shelters could protect astronauts from cosmic rays, solar radiation, and micro-meteorites, offering an alternative to building habitats from scratch.
India's 'audacious' goals key to lunar mission success, says Ex-NASA astronaut Steve Smith
Former NASA astronaut Steve Lee Smith praised India's Chandrayaan-3 mission for its audacious goals and success in landing a spacecraft on the lunar South Pole region. Speaking at the GenAI Conclave, Smith emphasized the importance of resilience and grit in advancing India's space program and leveraging AI technology for progress.
More trouble for Sunita Williams as she has to stay longer in space; Here's why
Officials have repeatedly hinted that the Starliner, which faced issues with helium leaks and thruster outages heading to the International Space Station in early June, will be safe to bring astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore home.
China calls on scientists of all nations to study lunar samples, but notes obstacle with the US
China's space officials announced that scientists worldwide could apply to study lunar rock samples from the Chang'e 6 mission. Cooperation, however, excludes the U.S. due to the Wolf Amendment, which restricts direct bilateral collaboration with NASA. China welcomes international scientists but refrains from revealing specific sample details pending further announcements. Future plans include lunar and planetary exploration missions.
'Power rivalry in space': China lunar mission fuels US misinformation
China's Chang'e 6 mission returned with samples from the Moon's far side, sparking misinformation about NASA's Apollo landings. Chinese-language posts falsely claimed the 1969 US moon landing was staged, fueling anti-US sentiment amid the US-China space race. Researchers warn that this misinformation could hinder space diplomacy. The Chinese government has heavily invested in its space program, with plans for a crewed mission by 2030. Meanwhile, the US aims to return astronauts to the Moon by 2026.
- Go To Page 1
All about China's lunar probe that returned with samples collected from far side of the moon
China's latest lunar probe has brought back some amazing artefacts, including samples like a volcanic rock that may be nearly 2.5 million years old, suggest latest reports. Some soil samples have also been brought back by the Chang'e-6 lunar lander from the far side of the moon.
China's Chang'e-6 probe brings back first-ever samples from Moon's far side
The development came after India in August 2023 became the first country to land near the little-explored lunar South Pole region when its Chandrayaan-3's lander, carrying the Pragyaan rover, successfully landed there.
China's spacecraft takes off from far side of Moon to bring home first samples
China's Chang'e-6 probe on Tuesday lifted off from the far side of the Moon for its journey back to Earth carrying the first rock samples ever collected from the rarely explored terrain, in an ambitious mission that underscored the country's rise as a major space power. The ascender has entered a pre-set orbit around the Moon after taking off from the far side this morning, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced.
China makes historic landing on far side of the moon
China landed the Chang'e-6 craft on the far side of the moon to retrieve rocks and soil, elevating its space power status in a global rush for lunar minerals.
Lunar Timekeeping: How Nasa plans to synchronize moon missions
NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) are working together to create a standardized time system for the moon. This initiative, part of the Artemis program, aims to coordinate lunar missions from various countries and private entities. The lack of a unified time zone on the moon presents logistical challenges, which this effort seeks to address by potentially using Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) or developing a new time scale tailored to the moon's unique environment.
All aboard the moon train: NASA's futuristic transport system revealed
NASA has unveiled plans for the first lunar railway system, vital for sustainable lunar bases envisioned by the 2030s. The system, part of the Moon to Mars initiative, features FLOAT (Flexible Levitation on a Track) technology. FLOAT employs magnetic robots gliding on a three-layered flexible film track, minimizing dust abrasion. Phase 2 involves testing prototypes in lunar-analogue environments, addressing technology gaps, and ensuring long-term operation for human exploration activities on the Moon.
A decade after India's Chandrayaan, Pakistan's maiden lunar mission 'Cube Qamar' jets off, thanks to China
China and Pakistan are making remarkable strides in space exploration with their respective lunar missions. China's Chang'e-6 mission and Pakistan's ICUBE-Q mission highlight the growing capabilities and ambitions of these nations in the field of space technology. These missions are expected to yield valuable insights into the moon's composition and history, contributing to our broader understanding of the universe.
Japan's moon lander wasn't built to survive a weekslong lunar night. It's still going after 3
Japan's first moon lander, SLIM, survived harsh lunar nights, monitored by JAXA. Scientists compare moon rocks with Earth for clues on moon's origin. NASA restored contact with Voyager 1 after data issues.
White House directs NASA to create time standard for the moon
The White House directs NASA to establish a unified lunar time standard to set international space norms. The goal is to ensure precise time-keeping for lunar missions, which is crucial for future Mars missions and commercial activities on the moon.
US Moon lander 'permanently' asleep after historic landing: company
Houston-based Intuitive Machines said late Saturday that the lander, named Odysseus, had not phoned home this week when its solar panels were projected to receive enough sunlight to turn on its radio.
'Statio Shiv Shakti': IAU approves Chandrayaan-3 Vikram's landing site name
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has approved the name 'Statio Shiv Shakti' for Chandrayaan-3's Vikram lander landing site, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement. The name reflects the duality of nature in Indian mythology. This decision underscores India's contributions to space exploration and highlights its cultural heritage.
First US moon lander in half a century stops working a week after tipping over at touchdown
The first U.S. spacecraft since the Apollo astronauts, Intuitive Machines' Odysseus, tipped over near the lunar south pole but lasted longer than expected. Houston-based Intuitive Machines hopes to hear from Odysseus again after a long nap.
Odysseus moon lander still operational, in final hours before battery dies
Odysseus, the first U.S. spacecraft to land on the moon since 1972, nears the end of its lunar mission, with its battery in its final hours. Despite a challenging landing that left it tilted and hindered communication, the spacecraft has transmitted valuable science data and imagery. An 11th-hour navigational glitch led to the unconventional landing, but human error was identified as a contributing factor. Intuitive Machines, the Texas-based company behind Odysseus, expects the spacecraft to go dark soon, cutting short its planned mission.
Japan's space agency says its moon lander miraculously survives a second weeks-long lunar night
Japan's space agency, JAXA, announced that their moon lander, SLIM, survived a second freezing weekslong lunar night. SLIM successfully placed a probe on the moon, collected geological data from moon rocks, and is now preparing to make contact with the cooled vehicle again.
Sideways moon landing cuts mission short, private lunar lander expected to cease operations Tuesday
Intuitive Machines' lunar lander, Odysseus, will cease operations after landing sideways near the south pole of the moon. It landed in a degraded crater close to an area of interest. Communication with Earth was hampered due to the landing position.
Private US spacecraft topples to its side during lunar landing, some antennas covered up, the company says
A private U.S. lunar lander, Odysseus, tipped over during touchdown near the moon's south pole, ending up on its side and hampering communications. Despite the mishap, the lander, sponsored by NASA, is thought to be within a few miles of its intended landing site. NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter will attempt to locate it. This marks the first private moon landing, with NASA experiments onboard. The lander's mission is expected to last about a week on the moon.
Exploring the history of lunar landings, as U.S. company achieves first private moon landing
A U.S. company, Intuitive Machines, has successfully landed a spacecraft on the moon, becoming the first private entity to do so. This achievement marks a significant milestone, as only five countries have previously achieved a safe moon landing. Despite the lander tipping over on its side, Intuitive Machines managed to establish limited communications, showcasing the growing capabilities of commercial space exploration efforts.
Commercial spaceship lands on moon, making it first lunar landing for US in 50 years
Intuitive Machines' Odysseus spacecraft, led by Stephen Altemus, successfully landed on the moon, a triumph of American ingenuity with NASA's support. The mission opens new avenues for scientific exploration in the lunar south polar region, symbolizing humanity's curiosity in space.
Commercial US spaceship lands on Moon, a first for private industry
Intuitive Machines successfully landed its spacecraft, Odysseus, on the Moon's Malapert A. The mission aims to explore the lunar south pole, study environmental conditions, harvest ice for drinking water and rocket fuel, and contribute to the development of a wider lunar economy.
US heads back to the Moon -- with a commercial spaceship
Intuitive Machines, a Houston-based company, attempts to land its hexagon-shaped robot Odysseus on the lunar south pole using NASA-funded commercial landers. The mission supports NASA's Artemis program, aims to stimulate a wider lunar economy, and follows a previous moon shot failure.
Japan hopes to join an elite club by landing on the moon: A closer look
Japan hopes to make the world's first "pinpoint landing" on the moon early Saturday, joining a modern push for lunar contact with roots in the Cold War-era space race between the United States and the Soviet Union. Japan's attempt to bring down its lander at a precise location follows the April failure of a Japanese company's spacecraft that apparently crashed while attempting to land on the moon.
Load More
