Moon Exploration
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SpaceX and Firefly Team Up to Launch Firefly Blue Ghost with 10 NASA Payloads
Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lunar lander will launch on SpaceX Falcon 9 in mid-January with 10 NASA payloads designed to test cutting-edge technologies. The mission includes tools like a radiation-resistant computer system, a GPS-like navigation system for lunar use, and dust-repelling technology for equipment maintenance. These payloads aim t...
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SpaceX Starship Flight 7 Test Gets FAA Launch Licence, Preparing for 2025
SpaceX has received the FAA’s launch licence for Starship Flight 7, marking another milestone in their quest for a fully reusable rocket system. After extensive engine tests, SpaceX is preparing for the test in early 2025. The flight will aim to improve key systems such as booster recovery and ocean splashdown. Designed for lunar and Martian miss...
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New Study Suggests the Moon Is 100 Million Years Older Than Previously Thought
Recent findings indicate the Moon might be over 100 million years older than prior estimates. A new study proposes that tidal forces caused intense heating and surface remelting around 4.35 billion years ago, resetting the apparent age of lunar rocks. These insights support the idea that massive collisions formed the Moon much earlier than previous...
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Scientists Puzzled by a Strange Dark Spot Fading on Saturn’s Moon Enceladus
A mysterious dark spot on Saturn's moon Enceladus has baffled scientists after it faded over several years. Discovered through NASA’s Cassini mission, the spot's sudden disappearance raises questions about the moon's geology. Experts have ruled out shadows and image artefacts, suggesting that the feature could be the result of an impact or a depo...
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Space Exploration Highlights 2024: Lunar Missions, Mars Discoveries, and More
2024 saw significant space exploration advancements. Japan's SLIM mission exceeded expectations, while NASA’s Perseverance found evidence of ancient life on Mars. The Europa Clipper launched to investigate subsurface oceans on Jupiter's moon Europa, promising new discoveries by 2030.
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Astronomers Explore Moon as Vantage Point for Space Studies: Report
A recent symposium at the Raman Research Institute (RRI) in Bengaluru brought together over 60 scientists and researchers to discuss the Moon’s role as a vantage point for advanced astronomical studies. Organised by RRI and the U.R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) of ISRO, the three-day event focused on leveraging the Moon’s unique environment for ...
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NASA Delays Artemis 2 Mission to 2026, Artemis 3 Crewed Moon Landing For Mid-2027
NASA has announced delays in the Artemis missions, citing the need for additional technical preparations. Artemis 2, the first crewed Moon mission since the Apollo era, will now launch in 2026. Artemis 3, the programme's lunar landing mission, has been moved to mid-2027 due to Orion spacecraft readiness and other challenges. Adjustments to the spac...
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NASA Develops Robotic Technologies for Autonomous Exploration of Ocean Worlds
NASA is advancing robotic exploration technologies through OWLAT and OceanWATERS, systems designed to prepare landers for exploration on ocean worlds like Europa and Enceladus. OWLAT, developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), simulates lander operations on low-gravity, icy surfaces, while OceanWATERS provides a virtual environment replicati...
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Time Moves Faster on The Moon Than on Earth, Claims New Study
A 56-microsecond daily time drift between Earth and the Moon, caused by relativity, presents unique challenges for future lunar missions. Scientists are devising a standard lunar time system to ensure navigation accuracy and mission safety, particularly as NASA’s Artemis programme expands human and robotic activity on the Moon. This groundwork is...
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Time Moves Faster On Moon Than On Earth? Scientists Reveal
To explore the Earth's natural satellite, the communication and navigation infrastructure between both worlds must be synced immaculately.
-
Mars' Moons Might Have Been Created From Asteroids Coming Too Close to the Red Planet
A study published in Icarus explores the possibility that Mars’ moons, Phobos and Deimos, formed from asteroid debris torn apart by the planet’s gravitational forces. Researchers ran advanced simulations to propose this scenario, which fits the moons’ circular orbits better than previous theories. Japan’s upcoming MMX mission is expected to...
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NASA Europa Clipper Advances Toward Jupiter’s Moon, Instruments Successfully Deployed
NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft, launched in October 2024, is journeying toward Jupiter’s moon Europa to study its icy surface and hidden ocean. Currently over 13 million miles from Earth, the spacecraft has successfully deployed its solar arrays, magnetometer boom, and radar antennas. It will use a gravity assist from Mars in March 2025 to ad...
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NASA SWIM Robots Tested for Future Missions to Explore Oceans on Europa
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is testing SWIM robots to potentially explore the subsurface oceans of Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons, believed to contain conditions suitable for life. The robots are designed to navigate autonomously and gather data through temperature, pH, and chemical sensors, helping scientists identify potential life...
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SpaceX Might Get FAA Approval for 25 Starship Launches in 2025
A draft environmental assessment by the FAA suggests allowing SpaceX to increase Starship launches from Starbase, Texas, from the current limit of five annually to 25 by 2025. Public consultations in January 2024 will determine the next steps. Starship is SpaceX's reusable rocket intended for Moon and Mars missions, with six test flights conducted ...
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NASA Tests Tiny Underwater Robots Set To Check For Life On Jupiter's Moon
NASA is charting new territory in space exploration with the development of tiny underwater robots designed to explore alien oceans.
-
SpaceX and Firefly Team Up to Launch Firefly Blue Ghost with 10 NASA Payloads
Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lunar lander will launch on SpaceX Falcon 9 in mid-January with 10 NASA payloads designed to test cutting-edge technologies. The mission includes tools like a radiation-resistant computer system, a GPS-like navigation system for lunar use, and dust-repelling technology for equipment maintenance. These payloads aim t...
-
SpaceX Starship Flight 7 Test Gets FAA Launch Licence, Preparing for 2025
SpaceX has received the FAA’s launch licence for Starship Flight 7, marking another milestone in their quest for a fully reusable rocket system. After extensive engine tests, SpaceX is preparing for the test in early 2025. The flight will aim to improve key systems such as booster recovery and ocean splashdown. Designed for lunar and Martian miss...
-
New Study Suggests the Moon Is 100 Million Years Older Than Previously Thought
Recent findings indicate the Moon might be over 100 million years older than prior estimates. A new study proposes that tidal forces caused intense heating and surface remelting around 4.35 billion years ago, resetting the apparent age of lunar rocks. These insights support the idea that massive collisions formed the Moon much earlier than previous...
-
Scientists Puzzled by a Strange Dark Spot Fading on Saturn’s Moon Enceladus
A mysterious dark spot on Saturn's moon Enceladus has baffled scientists after it faded over several years. Discovered through NASA’s Cassini mission, the spot's sudden disappearance raises questions about the moon's geology. Experts have ruled out shadows and image artefacts, suggesting that the feature could be the result of an impact or a depo...
-
Space Exploration Highlights 2024: Lunar Missions, Mars Discoveries, and More
2024 saw significant space exploration advancements. Japan's SLIM mission exceeded expectations, while NASA’s Perseverance found evidence of ancient life on Mars. The Europa Clipper launched to investigate subsurface oceans on Jupiter's moon Europa, promising new discoveries by 2030.
-
Astronomers Explore Moon as Vantage Point for Space Studies: Report
A recent symposium at the Raman Research Institute (RRI) in Bengaluru brought together over 60 scientists and researchers to discuss the Moon’s role as a vantage point for advanced astronomical studies. Organised by RRI and the U.R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) of ISRO, the three-day event focused on leveraging the Moon’s unique environment for ...
-
NASA Delays Artemis 2 Mission to 2026, Artemis 3 Crewed Moon Landing For Mid-2027
NASA has announced delays in the Artemis missions, citing the need for additional technical preparations. Artemis 2, the first crewed Moon mission since the Apollo era, will now launch in 2026. Artemis 3, the programme's lunar landing mission, has been moved to mid-2027 due to Orion spacecraft readiness and other challenges. Adjustments to the spac...
-
NASA Develops Robotic Technologies for Autonomous Exploration of Ocean Worlds
NASA is advancing robotic exploration technologies through OWLAT and OceanWATERS, systems designed to prepare landers for exploration on ocean worlds like Europa and Enceladus. OWLAT, developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), simulates lander operations on low-gravity, icy surfaces, while OceanWATERS provides a virtual environment replicati...
-
Time Moves Faster on The Moon Than on Earth, Claims New Study
A 56-microsecond daily time drift between Earth and the Moon, caused by relativity, presents unique challenges for future lunar missions. Scientists are devising a standard lunar time system to ensure navigation accuracy and mission safety, particularly as NASA’s Artemis programme expands human and robotic activity on the Moon. This groundwork is...
-
Time Moves Faster On Moon Than On Earth? Scientists Reveal
To explore the Earth's natural satellite, the communication and navigation infrastructure between both worlds must be synced immaculately.
-
Mars' Moons Might Have Been Created From Asteroids Coming Too Close to the Red Planet
A study published in Icarus explores the possibility that Mars’ moons, Phobos and Deimos, formed from asteroid debris torn apart by the planet’s gravitational forces. Researchers ran advanced simulations to propose this scenario, which fits the moons’ circular orbits better than previous theories. Japan’s upcoming MMX mission is expected to...
-
NASA Europa Clipper Advances Toward Jupiter’s Moon, Instruments Successfully Deployed
NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft, launched in October 2024, is journeying toward Jupiter’s moon Europa to study its icy surface and hidden ocean. Currently over 13 million miles from Earth, the spacecraft has successfully deployed its solar arrays, magnetometer boom, and radar antennas. It will use a gravity assist from Mars in March 2025 to ad...
-
NASA SWIM Robots Tested for Future Missions to Explore Oceans on Europa
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is testing SWIM robots to potentially explore the subsurface oceans of Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons, believed to contain conditions suitable for life. The robots are designed to navigate autonomously and gather data through temperature, pH, and chemical sensors, helping scientists identify potential life...
-
SpaceX Might Get FAA Approval for 25 Starship Launches in 2025
A draft environmental assessment by the FAA suggests allowing SpaceX to increase Starship launches from Starbase, Texas, from the current limit of five annually to 25 by 2025. Public consultations in January 2024 will determine the next steps. Starship is SpaceX's reusable rocket intended for Moon and Mars missions, with six test flights conducted ...
-
NASA Tests Tiny Underwater Robots Set To Check For Life On Jupiter's Moon
NASA is charting new territory in space exploration with the development of tiny underwater robots designed to explore alien oceans.
