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NASA is moving forward with plans to establish a lasting base near the Moon's South Pole, with more than 20 robotic landing missions planned through 2029 to deliver equipment, conduct scientific research and test technologies for future human operations. The planned lunar base is expected to support scientific research, technology development and eventually human activities on the Moon. NASA is working with commercial partners Blue Origin, Firefly Aerospace, Intuitive Machines and Voyager Technologies, which are developing landers for missions through 2028. The spacecraft will carry infrastructure, scientific instruments and other equipment needed to build a long-term presence on the lunar surface. The missions are part of the first phase of NASA's Moon Base architecture, which is currently underway and runs through 2029. Before astronauts arrive, robotic spacecraft will study the lunar environment, test new technologies and begin establishing infrastructure needed for future human missions. NASA expects its Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) programme to provide regular cargo deliveries, helping create a dependable supply system between Earth and the Moon. Blue Origin Blue Origin is preparing its Blue Moon MK1 lander for its first planned lunar mission, called Endurance. The lander has completed several environmental tests, including a thermal vacuum test at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. The tests were designed to ensure the spacecraft can operate in conditions similar to those on the Moon. Its main structure, propulsion systems and avionics are now assembled. The company is conducting additional integration work and preparing for further tests, including checks of wiring connections for payloads. Endurance has also completed communication tests with NASA's satellite and deep-space communication networks. A major final test before launch preparations will involve loading its cryogenic propellants. During its mission, the lander is expected to demonstrate precise landing capabilities, gather information about the lunar environment and test autonomous systems that could be used in future Moon Base missions. Firefly Aerospace Firefly Aerospace is preparing Blue Ghost Mission 2, building on the success of its first lunar landing. The new mission will use a larger spacecraft designed for operations on the far side of the Moon. Blue Ghost will be mounted on Firefly's Elytra orbital spacecraft, creating a system about 22 feet tall. Elytra will be able to deploy payloads both in lunar orbit and on the surface, giving NASA greater flexibility for scientific research and future cargo operations. Blue Ghost Mission 2 is planned to make the first US landing on the far side of the Moon. Scientists hope to study the region's geology and learn more about the early universe during the period known as the cosmic Dark Ages. Three NASA payloads will be carried on the mission to support scientific research and test technologies that could be useful for future lunar infrastructure. Firefly also plans to reuse some systems from its first Blue Ghost mission, helping speed up development and reduce risks. Intuitive Machines Intuitive Machines is preparing its third Nova-C lunar landing mission, IM-3, which will also deploy the company's first lunar data relay satellite, Altus-1. The Nova-C lander, named Trinity, is undergoing assembly and testing as the company works toward providing regular science and cargo deliveries to the Moon. The spacecraft's upper deck has been aligned, while its internal wiring is being tested. The company has also completed long-duration thermal vacuum testing with NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The tests were designed to ensure that sensors can work accurately through the extreme temperatures expected during the spacecraft's descent to the lunar surface. Further work includes engine integration and hot-fire testing. IM-3 will place Altus-1 into lunar orbit and carry several payloads. Trinity will transport five NASA payloads, six commercial payloads and one civil payload to the surface. The mission will also study Reiner Gamma, an unusual magnetic feature on the Moon. It is expected to be the first mission to explore the surface of a lunar swirl, providing scientists with a closer look at the mysterious region. Voyager Technologies Voyager Technologies is testing its Griffin-1 lander at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California as it prepares for a planned lunar mission. Griffin-1 is designed to carry large infrastructure-related payloads and is scheduled for launch in late 2026. It is expected to deliver the largest commercial payload ever placed on the lunar surface. Five NASA payloads will be installed on the Astrolab FLIP rover. The rover and its instruments will help test lunar mobility, demonstrate new technologies and prepare for longer operations on the Moon. Griffin-1 recently completed mass properties testing, which provides information needed for navigation, guidance and flight control. More environmental tests are planned to simulate conditions from launch through lunar landing. The testing is intended to identify potential problems and improve the spacecraft's reliability. After testing, Griffin-1 will return to Voyager's facility in Pittsburgh for final assembly before moving through launch preparations and being transported to Cape Canaveral. Northrop Grumman tests lunar technology NASA is also working with Northrop Grumman on three technology demonstrations that will be delivered to the lunar surface. The projects use power and avionics systems originally developed for NASA's Gateway programme. The technology is now being adapted for use on the lunar surface as NASA places greater emphasis on surface operations. The demonstrations will test systems designed to survive the Moon's harsh environment, including the extremely cold lunar night and long periods in darkness. NASA and Northrop Grumman will also test shared power systems that could provide electricity to scientific instruments and other Moon Base equipment. The projects will further examine power and avionics systems that could support future lunar operations. Building a long-term lunar presence NASA's planned robotic missions, commercial deliveries and technology demonstrations are aimed at gradually building the infrastructure needed for a long-term presence on the Moon. The agency hopes the effort will support continued scientific research and technology development while preparing the way for sustained human activity on the lunar surface alongside robotic operations. Source: Science Daily

NASA is preparing for its next astronaut mission to the Moon by planning a major orbital rehearsal in 2027, when it will test commercial lunar landers built by SpaceX and Blue Origin before astronauts attempt a lunar landing in 2028. The tests will take place during the Artemis III demonstration mission, where astronauts aboard NASA's Orion spacecraft will carry out rendezvous and docking exercises with prototype Moon landers in Earth orbit. NASA says the mission, along with future uncrewed tests near the Moon, will provide valuable data to improve astronaut safety and reduce mission risks before humans return to the lunar surface. SpaceX and Blue Origin to test prototype landersNASA has selected SpaceX and Blue Origin to develop Human Landing Systems (HLS) that will transport astronauts from lunar orbit to the Moon and back. For Artemis III, both companies will launch prototype versions of their future Moon landers using commercial rockets. Meanwhile, the Artemis III crew will travel separately aboard the Orion spacecraft, launched by NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. The mission will allow NASA to assess how the different spacecraft perform before they are used for future crewed Moon missions. Different approaches for the demonstrationSpaceX plans to use its latest Starship Version 3 spacecraft, which forms the basis of its future Moon lander. Blue Origin will test the crew cabin planned for its Blue Moon lander. Steve Creech, manager of NASA's Human Landing System Programme, said both companies have proposed ambitious test plans that will support later uncrewed and crewed missions. "The prototype landers will provide valuable information for future development while giving us greater confidence in the spacecraft before astronauts land on the Moon," he said. Blue Origin astronauts will enter test cabinDuring the mission, up to two Artemis III astronauts wearing Orion survival suits will enter Blue Origin's test lander to evaluate its systems. The spacecraft will also carry a specially designed instrument that will collect information on cabin conditions, similar to the "Moonikin" mannequin used during NASA's uncrewed Artemis I mission. Starship to perform docking testsSpaceX's Starship prototype will carry a docking system at the front of the spacecraft, allowing Orion to dock directly with it. Unlike the Blue Origin test, Artemis III astronauts will remain inside Orion during the Starship docking exercise. NASA and SpaceX will study how the connected spacecraft perform together and evaluate communications, navigation and spacecraft control systems. Three powerful rockets to launch within daysThe Artemis III demonstration will involve launching three powerful rockets over a relatively short period. Blue Origin's test lander is expected to launch first, followed by Orion aboard NASA's SLS rocket and then SpaceX's Starship prototype. NASA says the demanding schedule will test launch operations, mission control teams, communication systems and coordination among multiple launch facilities across the United States. After completing docking tests with both landers, the Artemis III astronauts will return safely to Earth aboard Orion. Jeremy Parsons, NASA's Artemis programme manager, described Artemis III as one of the agency's most complex missions. He said the demonstration would help prepare NASA for future Moon missions by testing launch operations, spacecraft integration and mission planning. Preparing for future Moon missionsNASA plans to use a "dual-launch" strategy for future lunar missions, with the Moon lander launched first and placed in orbit before astronauts arrive aboard Orion. The Artemis III mission will allow NASA and its commercial partners to rehearse that process for the first time. Blue Origin's lander is designed to remain in orbit for up to 30 days, giving engineers time to inspect and test its systems before Orion launches. Once Blue Origin completes its docking exercises, SpaceX will launch Starship for the second phase of the mission. Safety remains the priorityBefore the mission begins, NASA will certify that both lander prototypes meet all safety requirements before allowing the crewed Orion spacecraft to approach them. The agency will review hardware, software and safety systems to ensure astronauts remain protected throughout the docking operations. Both SpaceX and Blue Origin have already completed extensive ground testing of their docking systems. NASA says the Artemis III mission will also evaluate how Orion and the commercial landers communicate, operate together and maintain stable flight while docked. The Artemis programme is part of NASA's long-term plan to return astronauts to the Moon, support scientific research, establish a sustained human presence there and develop the technologies needed for future crewed missions to Mars. Source: Science Daily

NASA is preparing an unprecedented mission to rescue its aging Swift Observatory from re-entering Earth's atmosphere by boosting it into a higher orbit. The $30 million operation could begin as early as this week with the launch of a robotic spacecraft developed by startup Katalyst Space Technologies. Under a contract with NASA, Katalyst will attempt to raise the orbit of the Swift Observatory, which has been scanning the universe for powerful cosmic explosions since its launch in 2004. The telescope has been losing altitude at an increasing rate due to heightened solar activity and now needs to be moved to a more stable orbit to remain operational. The mission will see Katalyst's autonomous spacecraft, named Link, launched aboard an air-launched Pegasus rocket from the Marshall Islands in the Pacific. Equipped with three robotic arms, Link is expected to take about a month to rendezvous with Swift and another two months to raise its orbit from about 360 kilometres to approximately 600 kilometres above Earth. According to current estimates, Swift must remain above 300 kilometres in altitude for the rescue to succeed. The observatory is expected to reach that critical threshold in October. The mission marks the first attempt by an American robotic spacecraft to capture and reposition an orbiting satellite. Only China has previously carried out a similar operation, successfully moving a satellite to a higher graveyard orbit in 2022. NASA officials said the mission could pave the way for a new era of satellite servicing and repair in space. Swift, valued at hundreds of millions of dollars, was never designed to be repaired or retrieved, making the mission particularly challenging. Company officials acknowledged there is no guarantee of success. To buy additional time, NASA shut down all of Swift's scientific instruments in February to slow its orbital decay. "If we let Swift re-enter, we would lose that telescope and a significant scientific capability," said NASA's science mission chief Nicky Fox, noting that the agency currently lacks the budget to build a replacement. Known for its ability to rapidly respond to astronomical events such as gamma-ray bursts and exploding stars, Swift is expected to play an even more important role alongside discoveries made by the James Webb Space Telescope and the upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope if the rescue succeeds. The mission could also have implications for the future of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, which is similarly losing altitude due to increased solar activity. Katalyst believes its next-generation robotic spacecraft, now under development, could potentially extend Hubble's life within the next few years. Calling Hubble "a national treasure," Fox said the iconic telescope remains deeply valued by both scientists and the public.

NASA has successfully completed the main phase of an experimental communications mission that allows spacecraft to connect through multiple satellite networks, a breakthrough that could make future space missions more flexible and reliable. The project, called the Polylingual Experimental Terminal (PExT), is designed to improve communication between different satellite systems by enabling spacecraft to switch between government and commercial networks instead of relying on a single provider. PExT was launched on July 23, 2025, aboard York Space Systems' BARD spacecraft. The mission aimed to demonstrate how advanced communications technology can help spacecraft send and receive data through multiple satellite relay networks. Traditionally, spacecraft have depended on one communications network. However, PExT uses the widely adopted Ka-band spectrum, allowing data to be transmitted across different satellite systems. NASA completed the mission's primary goals in December 2025. During testing, the terminal successfully sent data to Earth through NASA's Tracking and Relay Satellite System as well as commercial networks operated by Viasat and SES Space and Defense. Following the successful tests, NASA launched an extended operations phase in January 2026 to explore additional capabilities and partnerships. As part of the next phase, NASA is testing direct communications between the spacecraft and Earth using SSC Space's global ground station network. The agency expects to complete more than 50 direct connections through a partner ground station in Weilheim, Germany. Officials say these tests will demonstrate how future spacecraft could either send data through relay satellites or communicate directly with ground stations, depending on mission needs. Such flexibility could improve coverage, increase reliability and make operations more efficient. NASA is also working with Aalyria Technologies to test enterprise-level management of space communications using the company's Spacetime software platform. The software is designed to help plan, manage and deliver communications services for multiple missions through a shared system. NASA hopes the technology will simplify operations, improve access to available services and provide more dependable communications support throughout a mission's lifespan. The effort builds on years of cooperation between Aalyria and the Defense Innovation Unit under the Hybrid Space Architecture program, which aims to create a more connected space communications network linking government and commercial satellite systems. The project is funded and managed by NASA's Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Program in partnership with the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. NASA said the work will help develop and test commercial communications systems that could support future missions in low Earth orbit and eventually deeper space exploration. Source: Science Daily

NASA has announced early plans for building a long-term base on the Moon, moving ahead with orders for landers, rovers and drones just weeks after its Artemis II lunar mission. The US space agency revealed the first phase of its lunar base programme on Tuesday, awarding hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts to four American companies. Under the plan, Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin will provide a pair of landers to transport equipment to the Moon’s surface near the south pole. The landers will carry lunar buggies developed by companies Astrolab and Lunar Outpost. Meanwhile, Firefly Aerospace will send drones to support operations on the lunar surface. NASA hopes the equipment will reach the Moon before astronauts land there again, with crewed missions expected as early as 2028. The agency’s Artemis programme is already advancing. In April, Artemis II carried four astronauts around the Moon, flying farther into space than any human mission since the Apollo era. The next mission, Artemis III, planned for 2027, will test docking systems in orbit as part of preparations for landing astronauts on the lunar surface. NASA is aiming for a human landing by 2028, followed by gradual expansion of the Moon base in the 2030s. Later phases will include building infrastructure such as a power system and eventually permanent habitats for astronauts. Officials say the long-term goal is to establish a sustained human presence on the Moon. NASA’s Moon base programme executive Carlos Garcia-Galan said the future base could stretch across hundreds of square miles, supported by drones placed at key locations to help monitor the area. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the system is also designed to respect other countries’ lunar missions and equipment, with expectations of similar cooperation from other space agencies. He added that the Moon base is intended to support scientific research, encourage a lunar economy, and prepare for future missions to Mars. “The journey is just beginning, and we are not slowing down,” Isaacman said.

NASA is preparing to launch its powerful Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope earlier than planned, with liftoff now targeted for as soon as September 2026. The revised schedule moves the mission ahead of NASA’s previous target of launching no later than May 2027. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the accelerated timeline shows what can be achieved when government investment, scientific expertise and private companies work together. Speaking at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Isaacman described the mission as an important step toward discoveries that could reshape our understanding of the universe. The Roman Space Telescope is designed to capture extremely wide and detailed infrared images of space. This will allow scientists to study vast regions of the universe with unprecedented precision. Its main goals include investigating dark energy and dark matter, as well as searching for planets outside our solar system. Researchers believe the telescope will also help uncover many unexpected cosmic phenomena. During its planned five-year primary mission, Roman is expected to gather about 20,000 terabytes of data. Scientists will use this information to study nearly 100,000 exoplanets, hundreds of millions of galaxies, billions of stars and rare events in deep space, including objects that may never have been observed before. NASA plans to launch the observatory aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center. SpaceX will provide the launch vehicle, while NASA said the exact launch date will be announced later as preparations continue. The mission is managed by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, with support from Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Space Telescope Science Institute and scientists from several research institutions. Source: Science Daily

Four astronauts have completed a historic mission, travelling farther into space than any humans before during a 10-day journey to the Moon and back. The NASA-led Artemis II mission followed every stage of the journey, from launch to a tense return to Earth, capturing global attention. Before liftoff, astronauts said they usually remain calm on launch day. But for many watching, the moment was overwhelming. As the rocket blasted off from Kennedy Space Center, the intense brightness, deafening sound and powerful force created an unforgettable scene. At the top of the 98-metre rocket were four astronauts heading toward the Moon. The crew — Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen — soon shared their first view of Earth from space. “Earth, you look beautiful,” Glover said, as the spacecraft began its roughly 250,000-mile journey. He told me he'd spoken to his wife and three children about the possibility that he might not come back. Reid Wiseman also said he'd had very honest conversations with his two daughters about the dangers involved with this endeavour. He'd brought them up as a single dad after his wife died six years ago. As the crew neared their destination, with the Moon growing ever larger in their spacecraft's window, new features became visible on the lunar surface. They named a crater a bright spot visible from Earth after Reid's late wife Carroll. The crew, all in tears, came together to hug their commander and friend. And back in Houston, there wasn't a dry eye at mission control and that includes the BBC team. As they adjusted to microgravity, live video showed how limited their space was. The astronauts lived, worked, ate and slept inside a capsule about the size of a minibus, with no privacy as millions followed their mission in real time. Even basic facilities drew attention. Their specially designed toilet system, which cost millions of dollars, faced some technical issues, forcing the crew to use backup methods for certain needs. At Johnson Space Center, engineers and flight controllers closely monitored the spacecraft’s systems, including navigation and life support. The mission was a test flight, marking the first time humans travelled on this rocket and spacecraft, making safety a top concern. Ahead of launch, astronauts spoke openly with their families about the risks. Hansen discussed the possibility he might not return, while Wiseman had similar honest conversations with his children. The mission went on to break the distance record set by the Apollo 13 mission, eventually reaching about 252,756 miles from Earth. Along the way, the astronauts captured thousands of images and described the Moon’s surface as it passed beneath them. The mission also highlighted NASA’s future plans, including a return to the Moon with a landing expected later this decade and long-term goals of sending humans to Mars. Officials say the aim is to build on past achievements rather than repeat them. The most dangerous part of the mission came during re-entry. As the capsule returned to Earth, it faced extreme heat and lost communication for several minutes, creating tense moments in mission control. Relief came when contact was restored and the spacecraft was seen descending under parachutes before safely splashing down in the Pacific Ocean. Cheers erupted at mission control as the astronauts were confirmed safe, marking the successful end of a high-risk test flight. The crew described the journey as life-changing and said the bond they formed would last a lifetime. What began as a mission by four astronauts ended with them returning as widely recognised figures, having taken millions of people along on a remarkable journey beyond Earth.

Scientists say the Moon, Earth’s closest neighbour, is shrinking faster than previously thought, a discovery that could affect future lunar exploration. Research by the National Air and Space Museum’s Center for Earth and Planetary Studies shows that as the Moon’s interior cools, its surface contracts, creating tectonic features such as lobate scarps and small mare ridges (SMRs). The SMRs, which are relatively young and widespread, suggest that the Moon is still geologically active. These features may also indicate new sources of moonquakes, which could influence where astronauts and equipment are placed on future missions. “This work gives us a complete view of recent lunar tectonism, helping understand its interior, thermal history, and potential for moonquakes,” said Cole Nypaver, lead author of the study. The shrinking Moon poses real risks for human exploration. NASA warns that moonquakes caused by surface contraction can originate 20–30 km deep, reach up to magnitude 5.5, and last more than 10 minutes. Such seismic activity will need to be considered when selecting landing sites and designing infrastructure for programs like Artemis, which aims to return humans to the Moon by 2028. Tom Watters, senior scientist emeritus, said the discovery of young ridges in the lunar maria completes a global picture of a dynamic, contracting Moon. Understanding these tectonic changes is critical for the safety of astronauts and the success of future scientific missions. Scientists continue to study the Moon’s internal dynamics to better understand its history and evolution, while providing crucial data for the next wave of lunar exploration. With inputs from BBC.

NASA announced Friday a major overhaul of its Artemis moon exploration program, aiming to make it more like the fast-paced Apollo missions of the 1960s. The agency plans to add an extra practice flight before attempting a crewed lunar landing in 2028. The change comes just two days after NASA’s new moon rocket returned to its hangar for repairs, and a safety advisory panel warned the agency to temper its ambitious plans for the first lunar landing since 1972. Artemis II, originally a lunar fly-around with four astronauts, is now delayed until at least April due to rocket issues. Moon is more geologically active than previously thought Artemis III, which had targeted a landing near the moon’s south pole in about three years, will now focus on sending a lunar lander into Earth orbit in 2027 for docking practice with astronauts in the Orion capsule. This adjustment comes amid concerns over the readiness of lunar landers and spacewalking suits. NASA plans one or possibly two moon landings in 2028. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said long gaps between missions are unacceptable, citing hydrogen fuel leaks and helium flow problems that have affected the Space Launch System rocket since its first test flight in 2022. Isaacman, a tech billionaire and former private astronaut, took charge of NASA in December. He stressed that the pace of Apollo missions — with successive flights before the first landing — should guide Artemis. To accelerate the schedule and reduce risk, NASA will standardize its Space Launch System rockets. Meanwhile, SpaceX and Blue Origin are working to fast-track the development of lunar landers. Next year, astronauts in Orion will rendezvous in Earth orbit with SpaceX’s Starship, Blue Origin’s Blue Moon, or both, mirroring the methodical Apollo approach. Isaacman said the revised Artemis plan addresses safety panel concerns, enjoys industry support, and aligns with administration goals. “We’re returning to basics and doing what we know works,” he said.

SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, carrying four astronauts for NASA’s Crew-12 mission, autonomously docked with the International Space Station on Saturday. The spacecraft launched at 5:15 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and reached the space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module at around 3:15 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday.  The four-member team comprises Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway from NASA, Sophie Adenot of the European Space Agency, and cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev from Roscosmos. SpaceX sends new team to ISS after medical emergency Over the nearly eight-month mission, Crew-12 will carry out a range of scientific experiments to support future human missions beyond low Earth orbit and deliver benefits for life on Earth, NASA said.  The crew will investigate pneumonia-causing bacteria to support better cardiovascular therapies and evaluate technologies for producing intravenous fluids on demand for future space missions. They will also assess how different physical traits influence blood circulation during spaceflight. According to NASA, other studies will focus on automated monitoring of plant health and exploring interactions between plants and nitrogen-fixing microbes to boost food production in space. Elon Musk’s SpaceX to build self-sustaining Moon city