All articles tagged with #moons south pole
NASA has awarded Blue Origin a contract to deliver the VIPER rover to the Moon's South Pole by late 2027, aiming to search for water ice and other volatiles to support future lunar and Mars exploration, leveraging private sector capabilities to reduce costs and risks.
NASA's VIPER moon rover prototype has successfully completed an obstacle course simulating the lunar surface's rugged terrain, showcasing its mobility and ability to overcome challenges. The rover is set to launch to the moon's south pole in November 2024 and will aid in selecting future landing sites for the Artemis program. VIPER's mission includes characterizing the lunar environment, identifying potential resources, and investigating the origin and preservation of frozen water and other volatiles on the moon. Additionally, NASA engineers have tested VIPER's final science instrument, a drill called TRIDENT, which will be used to dig up soil cuttings from below the lunar surface.
India's Chandrayaan-3 lunar lander and rover are making significant progress in their mission, with the rover discovering the presence of sulfur and other elements on the lunar surface near the Moon's south pole. The rover is also searching for signs of frozen water, which could be crucial for future missions and potential lunar bases. The lander is conducting measurements of the lunar surface's thermal conductivity, searching for seismic activity, and estimating the near-surface plasma density. The mission is expected to last just 14 days on the Moon's surface, so updates are limited.
India's Chandrayaan-3 lunar rover has made its first scientific observations at the Moon's south pole, confirming the presence of sulfur through laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Preliminary analyses also suggest the presence of aluminum, iron, calcium, chromium, titanium, manganese, silicon, and oxygen. The rover will continue to investigate the region for signs of frozen water, study the atmosphere, and determine the composition of the south pole. The discovery of water could be valuable for future lunar bases and missions to Mars.
India's Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft has successfully attained its intended orbit around the Moon, with the lander Vikram set to separate from the propulsion module on August 17. The spacecraft will need to achieve a 100-kilometer circular orbit before the final soft landing attempt on the Moon's South Pole on August 23. The new C3 lander has been designed to withstand potential glitches and ensure a successful landing, according to ISRO Chief S. Somnath.