The Moon is Earth’s only natural satellite and the fifth largest moon in the Solar System. It orbits Earth at an average distance of about 384,400 kilometers (238,855 miles) and has a diameter of approximately 3,475 kilometers (2,159 miles). The Moon’s surface is marked by craters, valleys, and ancient lava plains, visible from Earth as dark and light patches. Its presence and gravitational pull play a crucial role in affecting Earth’s tides and stabilizing the planet’s axial tilt, influencing climate and weather. Scientific interest in the Moon has been extensive, leading to its exploration by numerous spacecraft and six manned Apollo missions between 1969 and 1972, which resulted in the collection of lunar rocks and extensive geological data. The Moon continues to be of interest for scientific, commercial, and potential habitation purposes.
The new spacesuit urine filtration system by Cornell researchers recycles astronauts’ urine into drinkable water, aiming to improve comfort and efficiency on future Moon and…
NASA announced the discontinuation of its VIPER rover project, citing cost increases and launch delays. The project’s instruments will be repurposed for future lunar missions,…
The presence of conduits below the lunar surface has been theorized and extensively debated for at least 50 years. The analysis of NASA Lunar Reconnaissance…
ESA developed LEGO-style space bricks using meteorite dust to simulate lunar regolith, enabling the testing of construction techniques for potential Moon bases. European Space Agency…
China’s Chang’e-6 mission is set to deliver samples from the Moon’s farside, potentially unveiling significant geologic variations and the effects of ancient meteorite impacts, which…
Odysseus, a lunar lander, successfully touched down near the Moon’s South Pole on February 22, despite technical difficulties. The ROLSES experiment recorded Earth’s radio waves,…
NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter photographed China’s Chang’e 6 on the Moon, revealing its location on a crater within the geologically rich Apollo basin, characterized by…
The Next Full Moon is the Strawberry Moon; the Flower, Hot, Hoe, or Planting Moon; the Mead or Honey Moon; the Rose Moon; Vat Purnima;…
A team from Nagoya University invented a heat-switch device for lunar rovers to withstand the Moon’s extreme temperatures. The technology optimizes thermal control, alternating between…
Researchers at Brown University have enhanced the shape-from-shading technique for mapping the Moon, making the process faster and more detailed. This advancement will aid in…
NASA’s VIPER team is not only building the rover for the Moon’s South Pole but also preparing for its environmental tests. These tests are designed…
NASA is conducting a week-long field test in Arizona’s San Francisco Volcanic Field to prepare for future moonwalks during the Artemis missions. Astronauts, engineers, and…
Scientists conducted a quantitative evaluation of techniques for solidifying and forming lunar regolith. As lunar missions transition from exploration to building and using structures, constructing…
VIPER Rover’s new mast enhances its capability to explore and study the lunar South Pole, featuring advanced navigation tools and communication antennas essential for its…
Developing a lunar base faster by creating an electrostatically charged environment. Research on establishing the Moon as a forward base for deep space exploration is…
University of Arizona scientists combined computer simulations and spacecraft data to solve a long-standing mystery surrounding the moon’s “lopsided” geology. About 4.5 billion years ago,…
NASA’s Artemis III mission will deploy three scientific instruments on the Moon’s South Pole to study its environment, geology, and potential for supporting life, aiding…
The lunar sample returned by China’s 2020 lunar mission contained minerals that provide clues to their origin. Earth’s moon achieved its Swiss cheese appearance from…