Lunar
Stories about commercial, civil, and international missions on and around the Moon.
Startups Tap Sun, Nukes To Keep Lunar Rovers Kicking
Two US companies have proved that industry can land on the Moon. Now, startups are tackling the next challenge: keeping those missions running for years instead of weeks.
Blue Ghost’s Success is Driving Commercial Interest, CEO Says
“People have business models and revenues they need to generate,” Kim said, adding that he’s been getting “a lot of inquiries” from potential commercial customers after Blue Ghost’s flight. “They can depend on Firefly to take a pragmatic approach and stick the landing and get multiple days of surface operations.”
Blue Ghost Notches First Successful Lunar Landing
The lander is now working on a series of tasks that will last a lunar day—about 14 Earth days—and a few hours into the lunar night.
NASA Must Speed Up Decision Making to Beat China to the Moon, Experts Say
“There is not a global competition yet for Mars, so we need to take the right thing at the right time,” Dumbacher said. “The Moon first, then Mars.”
Inside the Hunt for Lunar Water
The sci fi dreams—and economic boom—that would be fulfilled by establishing a long-term lunar presence all hinge on one thing: the ability to locate, extract, and process water ice on the Moon’s surface.
Talking IM-2 With Tim Crain
Payload talked to IM CTO Tim Crain about the Athena lander, the onboard technology, and, yes, those pesky laser range-finders.
Australia’s Lunar Plans are Just Getting Started
The Australian government is backing its Moon to Mars supply chain initiative in an effort to place Australian space companies in key supporting roles on future Artemis missions.
Blue Ghost Completes Trans Lunar Injection, Prepares for Landing
After spending three weeks in a highly elliptical Earth orbit, Firefly’s Blue Ghost lander is finally on its way to the Moon, having successfully completed its critical lunar insertion burn on Saturday.
Inside the Comms Tech Headed to the Moon
As the world prepares for the return of crewed missions to the Moon, space agencies are teaming up with the commercial sector to help future missions communicate and navigate the lunar surface.
Firefly and ispace Prepare for Their Lunar Journeys
It’s nearing the final boarding call for the next trip to the Moon.
What to Expect in 2025
2024 was a record-breaking year for the global space industry. More launches from more spaceports brought more satellites into orbit, and 2025 is expected to be no different.
2024 Top 5: Lunar
From NASA’s Artemis missions to more commercial lunar landing attempts to other nations’ journeys to the Moon’s surface, it’s clear that the entire world has its sights set on the Moon. But building a sustainable lunar economy—the goal of space agencies and the commercial sector—will require advancements in everything from power generation to mining to agriculture.
NASA Pushes Artemis Lunar Landing To 2027
While the news is a setback for the Artemis mission, officials said the adjusted timeline will still ensure the next boots on the Moon are American, not Chinese.
