Moon - Space Axiom

Scientists Discover First Cave on the Moon, Potential Future Home for Astronauts

This discovery, made through reanalysis of data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), marks the first confirmed existence of such a cave on the Moon.

Space

NASA Cancels $450 Million VIPER Rover Mission to the Moon

The VIPER project, initially estimated to cost around $450 million, was set to launch in late 2023 but faced several postponements, eventually pushing the launch date to fall 2025.

Space

NASA and Japan Join Forces to Develop Advanced Lunar Rover for Artemis Missions

This cutting-edge rover, designed by JAXA, will be a fully pressurized vehicle allowing astronauts to live and travel across the lunar surface for up to 30 days.

Space

NASA to Develop Coordinated Lunar Time by 2026 Under New U.S. Directive

This initiative, driven by the need for precise coordination during increasing lunar explorations, aims to introduce Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC), which will serve as a reference for activities and missions on the Moon.

Space

NASA Picks Three Companies to Develop Moon Rovers for Its Artemis Missions

The chosen companies are tasked with creating vehicles that will enable astronauts to traverse the moon's rugged southern polar region, an area of particular scientific interest due to its potential water ice reserves.

Space

NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Captures Images of Korean Satellite Danuri

The resulting images show Danuri appearing as a silver streak due to the short exposure time of the camera and the high relative velocities, making precise photography a challenge.

Space

Japan's SLIM Lander Survives Its Second Lunar Night

The lander, which was not designed to endure the extreme cold temperatures of the lunar nights, managed to re-establish communication after its second two-week-long night on the Moon.

Space

SpaceX's Starship Achieves New Heights in Third Test Flight, Yet Encounters Reentry Challenge

The Starship lost communication and was subsequently declared lost by SpaceX, hinting at possible damage or disintegration caused by the intense reentry conditions.

Space

NASA Seeks New Astronauts for Future Moon and Mars Missions

The training for the selected candidates will cover basic astronaut skills such as robotics, spacewalking, spacecraft operations, and teamwork. Beyond their space missions, astronauts are expected to engage in NASA events.

Space

Odysseus Lunar Module Signs Off with a Farewell Snapshot from the Moon

The snapshot, showcasing Earth's tiny crescent against the lunar horizon, symbolizes the fragile yet profound connection between our world and the vast universe.

Space

Japanese Moon Lander, SLIM, Defies Odds with Unexpected Revival

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced the revival of SLIM on February 25, signaling a surprising development for the spacecraft that had been inactive during the lunar night.

Space

Moon Mission Odysseus Ends Prematurely Due to Human Error

The mission, intended to explore the lunar surface near the Malapert-A crater in the southern polar region, encountered critical issues upon touchdown, resulting in the spacecraft tilting sideways and disrupting its operations.

Space

Private Spacecraft Odysseus Successfully Lands on Moon, Marking Historic Achievement

Developed by Intuitive Machines, a Houston-based company, Odysseus touched down near the moon's south pole, marking a significant milestone in lunar exploration.

Space

SpaceX Successfully Launches Falcon 9 Rocket Carrying Private Lander to the Moon

The rocket, launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, embarked on its journey with the primary objective of delivering the Intuitive Machines' Nova-C lander, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.

Space

NASA and SpaceX to Launch a Private Lunar Lander in February

NASA's contribution to the mission includes a range of scientific instruments aimed at studying plume-surface interactions, space weather, lunar surface characteristics, radio astronomy, and precision landing technologies.

Space

Japanese Moon Lander SLIM Resumes Operations Despite Upside-Down Landing

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced that communication with the SLIM spacecraft has been re-established, and operations to investigate the Moon's origins have resumed.

Space

Peregrine Moon Lander's Fiery End Marks Astrobotic's Brave Effort

This unfortunate outcome marked the conclusion of Peregrine's debut mission, which aimed to make it the first commercial lunar lander and the first American spacecraft to land on the Moon in decades.

Space

NASA Invites Public to Send Their Names to the Moon Aboard Its VIPER Rover

"Send Your Name with VIPER" is an opportunity for space enthusiasts to be part of a historic lunar exploration mission and contribute to the understanding of the moon's resources and environment.

Space

Troubled Moon Lander Peregrine Is Set to Head Back to Earth

Despite the challenges faced by the Peregrine mission, Astrobotic sees it as a valuable learning experience that will contribute to the success of future lunar missions.

Space

Axiom Space Unveils Advanced Lunar Spacesuit for Artemis Missions

Since its initial concept presentation in March 2023, the AxMEU spacesuit has undergone substantial enhancements. Notably, it now boasts enhanced mobility along with integrated tools for scientific research.

Space

NASA Delays Moon Missions by One Year Due to Safety Concerns

These delays are attributed to safety concerns related to the Orion crew capsule and technical challenges, prompting NASA to ensure the safety of its astronauts.

Space

Japan's SLIM Mission Nears Its Historic Moon Landing

If all goes according to plan, SLIM will attempt an unprecedented precision landing on the moon on January 19, potentially making Japan the fifth country in history to achieve a soft landing on Earth's celestial neighbor.

Space

NASA Releases Thrilling Footage of Orion's High-Speed Earth Re-Entry

This mission, lasting 25 days, included six days in lunar orbit, pushing Orion's distance from Earth to an impressive 434,500 kilometers (270,000 miles) – a record-breaking feat for a human-designed spacecraft.

Space

The United States Prepares for Lunar Return after Over 50 Years

Peregrine, an unmanned lander developed by Astrobotic, will attempt to touch down on the lunar surface. The mission aims to carry NASA instruments to study the lunar environment before the upcoming Artemis missions.

Space

New Study Suggests That Earth Harbors Remnants of a Moon-Forming Protoplanet

These continent-sized anomalies, known as large low-velocity provinces (LLVPs), have long puzzled scientists due to their higher density and temperature compared to the surrounding mantle.