Moon
On National Security | The moon emerging as the next frontier for military operations
As NASA pushes forward to get humans back on the moon, questions have emerged on what this means for the Space Force and what role it might play in lunar activities.
Far side: the moon’s use as a new astronomical site
Astronomers have always sought out remote and isolated spots from which their precision observations of the surrounding universe can be made. Now, add one more far-flung location – the moon.
Industry proposals sought for ‘cislunar highway patrol’ satellite
The Air Force Research Laboratory is asking companies to submit ideas on how they would design a spacecraft to monitor outer space beyond Earth’s orbit.
Moon impact: Chinese rocket stage still in space says U.S. Space Command
A spent rocket upper stage from China’s 2014 Chang’e-5 T1 mission thought set to impact the moon did not reenter the atmosphere as previously stated, according to U.S. Space Command.
Moon-bound rocket stage still most likely from 2014 Chang’e mission, despite China’s denial
A rocket stage expected to impact the moon is still most likely to belong to China’s 2014 moon mission, despite a denial from the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A Chinese spacecraft is testing out a new orbit around the moon
A spacecraft involved in China’s 2020 Chang’e-5 lunar sample-return mission is now in a unique orbit around the Moon, more than a year after completing its primary mission.
Chinese rocket, not Falcon 9, linked to upper stage on lunar impact trajectory
In a case of celestial mistaken identity, a spent upper stage that will crash on the far side of the moon in March is now linked to a Chinese launch in 2014, not a SpaceX launch of an Earth and space science satellite in 2015, illustrating the difficulties in tracking objects beyond Earth orbit.
India targets August launch for Chandrayaan-3 lunar lander
Delayed two years by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chandrayaan-3 mission will mark India’s second attempt to land on the moon.
China presents space plans and priorities in new white paper
China has released a white paper outlining the centrality of space to the country’s “overall national strategy” as well as major plans for the years ahead.
Israel becomes 15th nation to join Artemis Accords
Israel has joined the U.S.-led Artemis Accords for space exploration, hoping to use the agreement as a means of enhancing its space cooperation in the fields of research, science and innovation.
China’s new rocket for crewed moon missions to launch around 2026
A new heavy-lift rocket designed to be capable of sending Chinese astronauts to the moon could have its first flight in 2026, according to a senior engineer.
Plus Ultra aims to provide communications infrastructure for incoming wave of moon missions
Spanish-German company Plus Ultra Space Outposts is making moves to be the provider for essential communications and navigation infrastructure for upcoming moon missions.
Airbus Ventures invests in Tokyo-based ispace
Airbus Ventures announced an investment Oct. 25 in ispace, the Toyko-based company preparing to send its first lander to the moon next year.
China displays crewed moon landing mission elements
China is showcasing a number of elements for future human lunar landing missions at a major airshow and stating that super heavy-lift rocket will be ready by 2028.
Op-ed | Can we backhaul our way to space?
If the market grows large enough, a dedicated lunar-to-LEO tanker industry could evolve – which might never happen if the infrastructure for supplying space facilities with lunar water had to be paid for up front and from scratch, before any water was delivered.
China’s Chang’e-5 orbiter is heading back to the moon
The Chang’e-5 orbiter module which facilitated China’s complex lunar sample return last year is on its way to the moon following deep space tests.
NASA has no plans to exchange lunar samples with China
NASA currently has no plans to trade any of its Apollo-era lunar samples with those returned by China’s Chang’e-5 mission, although then agency’s chief scientist held out hope for such an exchange in the future.
