Moon
Stories about opportunities and missions on the Moon.
ispace Blames Faulty Hardware for Failed Lunar Landing
A two-and-a-half week internal investigation revealed that the lander’s Laser Range Finder (LRF) was likely to blame for the high-speed collision with the lunar surface.
Venturi Space Unveils its All-European Rover
A tangible example of Europe’s efforts to achieve technological independence at home—and on another world.
ispace Crashes on the Moon in Second Attempt
Officials said the lander failed to slow down enough for landing, likely crashing into the lunar surface, but the root problem is unclear.
Sierra Space Wins $3.6M NASA Lunar Logistics Contract
The contract—part of NASA’s NextSTEP-2 Appendix R set of studies—tasks Sierra Space with examining how it would upgrade its LEO space station technology to withstand the lunar environment, given the Moon’s sharp regolith and extra gravity.
Intuitive Machines Says The Moon Is Still Go
CEO Steve Altemus hopes to win new NASA Moon contracts in 2025.
NASA’s FY26 Plan Would Cut Gateway, Phase Out SLS, Orion
The Trump administration’s proposed budget for NASA focuses on beating China back to the Moon and sending the first humans to Mars at the expense of every other part of the space agency’s budget.
Lockheed Martin Hands Over Orion for Artemis II
It is scheduled to carry four astronauts around the Moon in early 2026.
Start Your Engines: The Lunar Rover Race Has Begun
Payload spoke with several companies building next-gen lunar rovers—including Astrolab, ispace, Intuitive Machines, and Lunar Outpost—about the biggest challenges and opportunities in this sector.
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.
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.
Australian Space Geology Firm Raises $100M Series D
”[T]ier one mining companies are taking notice…now they’re looking to put their foot on the gas.”
Starship Hired To Fly Two Lunar Rovers
The first Lunar Terrain Vehicle is expected to touch down in 2029.
Intuitive Machines Targets February for Second Moon Landing
The company is now managing instruments on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.
