water mapping

3+ articles

Caltech Lunar Trailblazer Moon Moon's south pole NASA

NASA's Lunar Trailblazer Faces Communication Challenge: Will It Bounce Back?

NASA is working to reestablish contact with its Lunar Trailblazer spacecraft, which lost communication shortly after launch. The mission aimed to map lunar water, crucial for future exploration. Here's what this means for NASA's low-cost SIMPLEx program and future lunar missions.

Mar 6

NASA's Lunar Trailblazer Faces Communication Challenge: Will It Bounce Back?

NASA's Lunar Trailblazer Battles Early Hiccups on its Cosmic Quest

The Lunar Trailblazer, launched by NASA to map the Moon's water, faced initial power issues after lift-off on a SpaceX Falcon 9. Despite a transmitter hiccup, communication was re-established. Managed by Caltech's IPAC, this mission is pivotal in understanding lunar hydration crucial for future exploration.

Feb 28

NASA's Lunar Trailblazer Battles Early Hiccups on its Cosmic Quest

"Moonstruck! SOFIA Maps Water Distribution on Lunar South Pole, Unveiling New Frontiers!"

NASA's SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) has successfully mapped the water distribution near the Moon's south pole, particularly focusing on permanently shadowed regions believed to trap water ice. This discovery is set to be a game-changer for future lunar missions and human outposts, providing crucial data for resource planning and shedding light on the Moon's mysterious water cycle.

Jan 3

"Moonstruck! SOFIA Maps Water Distribution on Lunar South Pole, Unveiling New Frontiers!"