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The Powerful Launch Vehicle Behind the Apollo Moon Missions

The Powerful Launch Vehicle Behind the Apollo Moon Missions

The Saturn V rocket stands as a monumental achievement in the history of space exploration, developed during the 1960s for NASA's Apollo program. T...

Artemis Program Advances With New Moon Base Hardware

Artemis Program Advances With New Moon Base Hardware

NASA has announced the first phase of its future moon base program, awarding contracts to four US companies for lunar landers, rovers and drones. Blue Origin will deliver landers carrying moon buggies built by Astrolab and Lunar Outpost, while Firefly Aerospace will send drones to the lunar surface. The equipment is expected to arrive before astronauts return to the Moon under the Artemis program, with the first landing targeted for 2028. NASA says the long-term goal is a permanent lunar base supporting science, exploration and future Mars missions.

NASA's Artemis Program Targets Lunar South Pole for Moon Base Development

NASA's Artemis Program Targets Lunar South Pole for Moon Base Development

NASA is advancing its Artemis program with plans to establish a Moon Base near the lunar South Pole. This initiative aims to create a sustainable human presence on the Moon, leveraging international collaboration across space agencies, industry, and academia. The lunar South Pole was chosen for its scientific value and resource availability, despite its challenging environment. The region's rugged terrain, extreme temperatures, and long periods of darkness present significant obstacles. NASA's efforts include developing advanced technologies and infrastructure to support long-duration human exploration in this harsh environment.

NASA Advances Lunar Base Plans with New Contracts for Rovers and Landers

NASA Advances Lunar Base Plans with New Contracts for Rovers and Landers

NASA is accelerating its plans for a lunar base at the Moon's South Pole by awarding new contracts for rovers and cargo landers. These contracts are part of a series of missions aimed at building infrastructure, reducing landing risks, and preparing for future Artemis astronaut landings. The first mission, Moon Base I, is set to launch in fall 2026 using Blue Origin's Blue Moon Mark 1 Endurance lander. Two additional missions, Moon Base II and III, will follow, utilizing landers from Astrobotic and Intuitive Machines. NASA has also awarded contracts for lunar terrain vehicles to Astrolab and Lunar Outpost, supporting mobility by 2028.

The Lunar Dress Rehearsal That Made History Possible

The Lunar Dress Rehearsal That Made History Possible

Apollo 10, launched on May 18, 1969, played a pivotal role in the United States' quest to land humans on the Moon. As the second crewed mission to ...

NASA to Announce Artemis III Crew and Mission Updates on June 9

NASA to Announce Artemis III Crew and Mission Updates on June 9

NASA has scheduled a live announcement on June 9, 2026, to reveal the crew for the Artemis III mission. This event will take place at the Johnson Space Center in Houston and will provide updates on the mission's technical status. Artemis III is part of NASA's broader lunar exploration initiative, following the successful Artemis II mission, which set a record for human deep-space travel. The upcoming mission will focus on validating docking and synchronization mechanisms with commercial Human Landing Systems (HLS) in low Earth orbit, rather than an immediate lunar descent. This strategic shift aims to reduce mission risks and establish a foundation for future lunar exploration.

NASA Captures Chennai's LED Streetlights from Space Station

NASA Captures Chennai's LED Streetlights from Space Station

A photograph taken from the International Space Station showcases the city of Chennai, India, illuminated by white LED streetlights. Captured on May 2, 2026, this image highlights the city's vibrant nightscape along the Bay of Bengal. Such Earth observations are part of NASA's efforts to monitor planetary changes over time. These observations, combined with NASA-developed technologies, are crucial for understanding Earth's dynamics and supporting human life exploration on the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

SpaceX's Starship rockets are grounded pending investigation after test flight

SpaceX's Starship rockets are grounded pending investigation after test flight

SpaceX Starship launches are on hold pending an investigation into last week's test flight

NASA lays out moon base plans with landers, buggies and drones at the top of the list

NASA lays out moon base plans with landers, buggies and drones at the top of the list

NASA is already ordering landers, rovers and drones for a sprawling moon base, less than two months after the Artemis II mission

NASA and Rocket Lab Collaborate on In-Space Refueling Technology, Challenging SpaceX

NASA and Rocket Lab Collaborate on In-Space Refueling Technology, Challenging SpaceX

NASA and Rocket Lab Collaborate on In-Space Refueling Technology, Challenging SpaceX

NASA's Breakthrough in Lithium-Plasma Engine Technology Aims to Propel Humans to Mars

NASA's Breakthrough in Lithium-Plasma Engine Technology Aims to Propel Humans to Mars

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has made significant advancements in electric thruster technology, which could be pivotal in enabling human travel to Mars. The new development involves a magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster that operates at up to 120 kW of power, significantly more than the current electric thrusters used in space missions. Unlike traditional chemical rockets, which require large amounts of fuel, these electric thrusters use electrical energy to ionize inert gases, creating propulsion with much less fuel. This makes spacecraft lighter and more efficient for long-distance space travel. The MPD thruster uses nuclear power to accelerate lithium plasma, and NASA aims to increase its power output to between 500 kW and one megawatt per thruster. This technology is seen as a potential game-changer for deep space missions, including the ambitious goal of sending humans to Mars.

57 Years Ago Today, Apollo 10 Reentered Earth’s Atmosphere at Record Speed

57 Years Ago Today, Apollo 10 Reentered Earth’s Atmosphere at Record Speed

Apollo 10, the fourth human spaceflight in the United States' Apollo program, achieved a remarkable feat during its return to Earth on May 26, 1969...