Moon
China is quietly preparing for November launch of the Chang’e-5 lunar sample return mission
China has quietly initiated preparations to launch Chang’e-5, a mission seeking to collect and return the first lunar samples since the 1970s.
Op-ed | Lunapolitics: 10 points to consider
Renewed competition for the moon is the basis for the rise of Lunapolitics: where political and economic interests intersect with the topography and physical properties of the moon, from its subsurface through to cislunar space.
Op-ed | On the verge of a new era for space exploration? Assessing the impact of the ongoing crisis
Establishing an international long-term sustainable lunar presence in partnership with the private sector remains the core focus in space exploration
Op-ed | A U.S. return to the moon is about preserving the rule of law
Two recent op-eds in SpaceNews expound on a U.S. return to the moon but both miss the mark of why a U.S. return is essential: it will reinforce and preserve the rule of law.
Air Force eyeing technology to monitor space traffic near the moon
A team of space startups received an Air Force contract to develop a concept to collect and manage lunar intelligence.
Op-ed | H.R. 5666 will launch the U.S. in the wrong direction
In his Feb. 3 SpaceNews opinion piece, Louis Friedman argues that the NASA authorization bill that recently cleared a House space subcommittee is best direction for America in space. The bill, H.R. 5666, would require the United States to abandon the moon after a flags and footprints lunar landing (while effectively preventing commercial firms from participating). We could not disagree more.
Op-Ed | The United States won’t go back to the moon, I’ll follow China there instead
In a recent SpaceNews Op-ed, Louis Friedman, co-founder and executive director emeritus of The Planetary Society, argues that the U.S. should pursue “a policy more directed to Mars and away from commercial participation. With all due respect to Friedman, I totally disagree. Focusing NASA programs on distant (in space, time, and money) goals can only ensure that U.S. space policy remains empty talk with no action.
2010-2019: The decade in space
It was a decade of enormous change. When it began, SpaceX was on the ropes, cubesats were teaching tools, NASA’s lunar ambitions were back on hold and no one in Washington was calling for a Space Force.
Foust Forward | The perils of prediction in spaceflight
The end of the year, and especially the end of a decade, prompts reflections on what’s taken place over the last 12 or 120 months. But it’s also an opportunity to look ahead and try to predict what will happen in the year or decade to come.
Op-ed | Envisioning the next 50 years in space
New technologies, decreasing costs, foreign interests and the emergence of the private sector have heralded the forthcoming of the second space race and with it a hopeful future on the horizon.
Op-ed | Living off the land: Lunar water is key to crewed space exploration
The moon has formed the isolated backdrop for a new era of space exploration. As you read this, there are teams of exploration advocates around the world striving to reach its surface. This new age is one that is being led not by spacefaring superpowers seeking to fly flags and footprints but instead by numerous private companies.
Arianespace targets 2023 for lunar Ariane 6 rideshare mission
Arianespace CEO Stéphane Israël said the Ariane 6 rideshare mission will be able to deliver 8,500 kilograms into a lunar transfer orbit.
Foust Forward | Space nuclear power tries to get some satisfaction
The argument that supporters of space nuclear power make is that the technology is essential for NASA’s long-term exploration effort. Advocates have tried to make that case for decades, but only now seem to be gaining traction.
China, Russia to cooperate on lunar orbiter, landing missions
Countries to consider science payload contributions to respective Luna-26 and Chang’e-7 spacecraft and establish a joint data center for lunar and deep space exploration.
India set for moon landing attempt after Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft separation
India will attempt to become the fourth country to soft land on the Moon Friday after successful separation of the Chandrayaan-2 lander and orbiter early Monday.
Op-ed | NASA must shift its focus to infrastructure and capabilities that support dynamic missions
Five decades after Apollo, NASA — burdened with an old-school management culture — originally offered a linear, programmatic solution to its most recent White House mandate to return Americans sustainably to the moon. That was a mistake, but it need not be a fatal one.
