Explore

NASA Prepares for SpaceX Crew-13 Mission with Upcoming Briefings

NASA Prepares for SpaceX Crew-13 Mission with Upcoming Briefings

NASA is gearing up for the SpaceX Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station, with a series of briefings scheduled for August 3 at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. The mission will involve NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov. The crew will launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, no earlier than mid-September. The briefings will provide an overview of the mission and insights into the crew's training and preparations. This mission marks the second spaceflight for Watkins and the first for Delaney, Kutryk, and Teteryatnikov.

Mauritius Joins Artemis Accords, Expanding Global Space Cooperation

Mauritius Joins Artemis Accords, Expanding Global Space Cooperation

Mauritius has become the 70th nation to sign the Artemis Accords, marking a significant step in international space collaboration. The signing ceremony took place in Ébène, Mauritius, with Navindsing Jugmohunsing from the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science and Research representing the country. U.S. State Department officials were present, and NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson delivered remarks via video. The Artemis Accords, initiated by NASA and the U.S. State Department in 2020, outline best practices for space exploration, including the deconfliction of space activities, utilization of space resources, and the exchange of scientific data. Mauritius's accession follows Serbia's recent signing, making it the 11th country to join the Accords this year.

NASA's Apollo Lunar Lander: A Legacy of Human Achievement on the Moon

NASA's Apollo Lunar Lander: A Legacy of Human Achievement on the Moon

NASA's Apollo lunar lander remains a symbol of human achievement, marking the first time humans explored another world. The Apollo program successfully landed 12 astronauts on the moon, beginning with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on July 20, 1969. The lunar module, known as the Eagle, touched down on the Sea of Tranquility, and Armstrong's famous words, 'The Eagle has landed,' were broadcast to a captivated global audience. The Apollo missions left behind descent stages on the moon's surface, which have been photographed by various satellites, including NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. These missions paved the way for future lunar exploration, with NASA's Artemis program planning to return humans to the moon, utilizing private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin for lunar lander development.

International Moon Day Celebrates Apollo 11's Historic Lunar Landing

International Moon Day Celebrates Apollo 11's Historic Lunar Landing

International Moon Day is celebrated annually on July 20 to commemorate the Apollo 11 mission, which marked the first time humans landed on the Moon. The United Nations officially recognized this observance in 2021 to honor international cooperation in space exploration. The Apollo 11 mission, launched on July 16, 1969, from Kennedy Space Center, carried astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins. Armstrong and Aldrin descended to the lunar surface aboard the lunar module Eagle, while Collins remained in orbit. Armstrong's first steps on the Moon were broadcast to an estimated 600 million people worldwide, making it one of the most significant events in human history.

NASA Cancels Draper Lunar Lander Due to Development Delays

NASA Cancels Draper Lunar Lander Due to Development Delays

NASA has decided to terminate its contract with Draper for a commercial lunar lander due to significant development delays. This decision affects the agency's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, which aims to deliver scientific instruments and technology demonstrations to the Moon. The cancellation of Draper's lander is part of a series of setbacks within the CLPS program, which has faced challenges with other private landers as well. The termination leaves NASA with fewer options for lunar exploration vehicles, impacting the agency's plans for future lunar missions. No replacement contractor has been announced, and the timeline for the program remains uncertain.

Far above the Earth, NASA's Apollo lunar lander put astronauts on the moon

Far above the Earth, NASA's Apollo lunar lander put astronauts on the moon

America's most daring, extraordinary feat, landing astronauts on the moon, remains the pinnacle of achievement by anyone anywhere

Lunar Phase Mirrors Apollo 11 Landing Day, Marking 57-Year Metonic Cycle

Lunar Phase Mirrors Apollo 11 Landing Day, Marking 57-Year Metonic Cycle

On July 20, 2026, the Moon will present the same phase as it did on the historic day of the Apollo 11 landing in 1969. This occurrence is part of a Metonic cycle, a period of 19 years after which the phases of the Moon repeat on the same calendar date. The cycle, known since ancient times, aligns the lunar phase on this date with that of the first Moon landing, allowing observers to experience a celestial echo of that momentous event. The Metonic cycle is significant in astronomy for its ability to predict lunar phases, although it does not perfectly align other orbital features such as eclipses. This year marks three complete Metonic cycles, or 57 years, since Neil Armstrong's famous first step on the lunar surface.

NASA Welcomes Mauritius as 70th Artemis Accords Signatory, Expanding Global Space Cooperation

NASA Welcomes Mauritius as 70th Artemis Accords Signatory, Expanding Global Space Cooperation

The Republic of Mauritius has joined the Artemis Accords, becoming the 70th signatory and the seventh African nation to commit to responsible space exploration. The signing ceremony took place in Ébène, Mauritius, with NASA’s Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson providing video remarks. The Artemis Accords, established in 2020, outline principles for peaceful and transparent space exploration, including commitments to aid those in need, share scientific data, and preserve significant sites. Mauritius' Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science and Research, Navindsing Jugmohunsing, signed the accords, emphasizing the nation's commitment to using space to benefit humanity and protect its environment. The U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs and the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires to Mauritius were present at the event.

NASA Cancels Draper Lunar Lander Mission Due to Delays

NASA Cancels Draper Lunar Lander Mission Due to Delays

NASA has terminated its lunar lander mission with Draper, a decision made due to significant delays in the spacecraft's development. The task order, part of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, was initially valued at $73 million. Delays in the lander's redesign pushed the projected landing date to 2030 or 2031, prompting NASA to end the contract. Draper had been working with ispace-U.S., a subcontractor responsible for the lander's development. Despite the cancellation, NASA remains committed to the mission's scientific objectives and plans to deliver the developed instruments to the moon through future CLPS landings.

Serbia Joins U.S.-Led Artemis Accords for Space Exploration

Serbia Joins U.S.-Led Artemis Accords for Space Exploration

Serbia has become the latest nation to sign the Artemis Accords, a U.S.-led initiative aimed at establishing best practices for space exploration. The signing ceremony took place at NASA Headquarters, with Serbia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marko Đurić, formalizing the agreement. Serbia is the 69th country to join the Accords, which were established in 2020 to promote peaceful and cooperative space exploration. The Accords cover various aspects of space activities, including the deconfliction of space operations and the sharing of scientific data. Serbia's decision to sign the Accords is notable as it previously joined China's International Lunar Research Station project in 2024.

NASA Ends Draper Lunar Lander Mission Due to Development Delays

NASA Ends Draper Lunar Lander Mission Due to Development Delays

NASA has decided to terminate its lunar lander mission with Draper, a decision driven by significant delays in the spacecraft's development. The task order, known as CP-12, was initially valued at $73 million, with $43 million already paid to Draper for completed milestones. The mission, part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, faced multiple redesigns and engine changes, pushing the expected landing date to 2030 or 2031. Despite the cancellation, NASA remains committed to the scientific objectives of the mission and plans to deliver the developed instruments to the moon through future CLPS landings. The agency has awarded four new lunar lander missions to companies like Astrobotic, Firefly Aerospace, and Intuitive Machines, which may accommodate additional payloads.

Researchers Achieve Water Extraction from Lunar Soil for Oxygen and Rocket Fuel Production

Researchers Achieve Water Extraction from Lunar Soil for Oxygen and Rocket Fuel Production

Researchers have successfully extracted water from lunar soil and converted it into oxygen and rocket fuel using sunlight, as reported in a study published in July 2025. This breakthrough was achieved by a team working with material returned by China's Chang'e-5 mission. The process involved using concentrated light to release water from the lunar soil, which was then used in reactions to produce oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide. This method reduces the need to transport water from Earth, where the cost of launching a single gallon is estimated at $83,000. The experiment demonstrated the potential for in-situ resource utilization on the Moon, combining water extraction and chemical conversion into a single photothermal process.