SpaceX has successfully launched two Starship prototypes without accidents, but significant technical challenges remain before the spacecraft can safely land astronauts on the Moon. NASA's ambitious plans involve complex refueling and rendezvous operations, with concerns about the current unproven capabilities of Starship for lunar landing and surface operations. Despite progress, the timeline for returning humans to the Moon has been pushed back, with 2027 now unlikely and a 2030 goal seeming distant.
NASA awarded Firefly Aerospace a $177 million contract for a 2029 lunar mission to deploy multiple rovers and scientific instruments to explore the moon's south pole, aiming to study resources and environmental hazards to support future lunar and Mars exploration.
NASA tested a crucial payload adapter at the Marshall Space Flight Center as part of preparations for the Artemis IV lunar mission, which aims to establish the Gateway space station to facilitate future lunar and Mars exploration. The adapter connects spacecraft to the launch vehicle and is undergoing quality checks before final assembly, supporting NASA's plans to launch astronauts via the Orion spacecraft and SLS rocket.
China's Chang'e 6 mission has successfully transferred the first-ever samples collected from the far side of the moon between its ascender and orbital module in lunar orbit. This marks a significant milestone as the samples are now set to return to Earth. The mission, which landed in the Apollo Basin crater on the moon's far side, continues China's pioneering efforts in lunar exploration. The sample return canister is expected to land on Earth on June 25.
Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa has canceled his planned "dearMoon" mission with SpaceX's Starship due to ongoing delays and uncertainty about the launch schedule. Maezawa, who signed the contract in 2018 with an expected launch by the end of 2023, cited the inability to plan his future and the prolonged wait for crew members as reasons for the decision. The mission aimed to fly Maezawa and eight artists around the moon, but Starship has yet to achieve orbit or carry people. Crew members expressed disappointment and frustration over the cancellation.
China's Chang’e-6 mission successfully landed on the far side of the moon, targeting the South Pole-Aitken Basin, to collect unique lunar samples. This marks China's fourth successful lunar landing and aims to bring back up to 2,000 grams of lunar material for scientific analysis. The mission involves complex stages, including sample collection, ascent, and return to Earth, with the samples expected to provide valuable insights into lunar and early solar system history.
Japan's SLIM moon lander has stopped responding to signals, likely due to the harsh conditions of the lunar night. Despite this, JAXA remains hopeful and plans to attempt contact again next month when the sun returns to the landing site. The mission, which aimed to demonstrate precise lunar landing techniques, has already provided valuable data, including evidence of the mineral olivine on the moon's surface.
At a Senate hearing, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson defended the Artemis program's costs and schedule, despite suggestions for an independent review. Nelson emphasized contractor accountability and the use of commercial partnerships. Concerns were raised about the readiness of SpaceX's Starship for the Artemis 3 mission, with NASA considering alternative plans if necessary.
China is attempting to salvage two spacecraft initially intended for the moon after a rocket stage malfunction left them stranded in a highly elliptical, high Earth orbit. The DRO-A and B spacecraft, designed for a distant retrograde orbit around the moon, have been tracked in an orbit-raising burn, indicating an attempt to save the mission. The spacecraft's intended lunar orbit entry and communication with a satellite in low Earth orbit may still be possible, but the impact of the unplanned use of propellant remains unknown. This salvage attempt contrasts with the openness of previous lunar mission issues and is part of China's broader lunar exploration and communication infrastructure plans.
Astrobotic has hired experienced industry officials, including former NASA officials, to assist with the development of its Griffin lander following the investigation into its first lunar lander mission. The company is working to address issues from the previous mission, including a propellant leak, and is preparing to incorporate lessons learned into the development of the larger Griffin lander, which is set to deliver NASA’s VIPER lunar rover to the moon's south polar region.
NASA's Artemis 2 mission, set to launch in September 2025, will carry a four-person crew on a 10-day journey to the Moon and back. The crew will manually maneuver the Orion capsule through a series of moves about three hours into the flight, following a ground demo to prepare for this. The mission has faced delays due to safety and technical issues, including problems with the heat shield, life support system valves, and battery performance. Despite these challenges, the crew is preparing for the upcoming trip and learning how to operate the spacecraft manually for its orbital demonstration.
The uncrewed American moon lander, Odysseus, built by Intuitive Machines, has ceased communication after failing to "wake up" following its historic landing on the moon's south pole. Despite landing at an angle and encountering various challenges, the mission is considered a success by both the company and NASA. The lander carried NASA instruments aimed at advancing scientific knowledge of the lunar south pole, a key area for future astronaut missions under NASA's Artemis program. Intuitive Machines has additional moon missions planned as part of NASA's initiative to collaborate with the private sector for lunar exploration.
The uncrewed American lander, Odysseus, built by Houston-based Intuitive Machines, has been declared "permanently faded" after failing to power up following its historic landing on the Moon. Despite landing at a wonky angle and encountering various challenges, the mission, which aimed to improve scientific understanding of the lunar south pole, has been hailed as a success by both Intuitive Machines and NASA. This marks the first commercial lunar lander to touch down on the Moon and is part of NASA's initiative to delegate cargo missions to the private sector and stimulate a lunar economy.
China has launched the Queqiao-2 satellite, which will serve as a communications bridge between Earth and an upcoming mission on the far side of the moon, enabling data transfers from the previously unreachable area. The satellite will support the Chang'e-6 mission in May and future lunar missions, with plans to become part of a constellation of relay satellites by 2040. Additionally, two miniature satellites, Tiandu-1 and -2, will conduct tests for the construction of a constellation and provide support for China's research station planned for the moon's south pole.
China successfully launched the Queqiao-2 relay satellite atop a Long March-8 Y3 carrier rocket, marking a significant milestone for its lunar missions. Queqiao-2 will provide relay communication services for the Chang'e-4 mission and support future missions, including Chang'e-6, Chang'e-7, and Chang'e-8. The satellite is an upgraded version of Queqiao, featuring more technological innovation, functions, and a longer lifespan. The launch also carried two experiment satellites for communication technology, and the Long March-8 Y3 rocket is China's new generation of medium-lift rocket.
