Moonshot Mechanics 2025
A series of articles on how the space industry is tackling the hurdles to building a thriving Moon market.
The Policy Questions Facing a Lunar Economy
Once engineers solve the technical problems that stand in the way of a thriving lunar economy, it’s up to policymakers to set industry up for success on the Moon’s surface.
Sustaining Life on the Moon is Harder Than it Looks
Artemis requires scientists and researchers to find long-term solutions to the problems space creates for human health, replacing the short-term fixes that once sufficed.
Closing the Loop on Lunar Exploration: Material Return
Industry is working every day to establish a long-term, sustainable human presence on the lunar surface. But the challenge of creating a complete, end-to-end cislunar economy doesn’t end with touchdown—or even with setting up shop permanently on the surface. To close the loop, material from the Moon also has to make its way back to Earth.
Orion: The Spaceship That Will Carry Astronauts Back to the Moon
When four astronauts climb into NASA’s Orion spacecraft for the Artemis II mission, they will be doing something no one has done in more than half a century: leaving Earth for a journey to the Moon. Behind this historic flight is a spacecraft designed and built with one unmistakable priority—safeguarding its crew every step of the way.
International Competition is Driving the Moon Race
In the 21st century space race, the contest to reach the Moon feels less like the Cold War and more like Wacky Races.
The Push For a Sustainable Lunar Economy
“There needs to be more transparency on how the world is thinking about lunar sustainability,” said Charity Weeden, a former NASA policy chief whose views do not represent the agency. “It’s critical not to mess up, because you don’t necessarily get a second chance.”
Turn Up the Sustain: The Gateway’s Demise
A “mix of old NASA thinking, new NASA thinking, and SLS shortcomings.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
