#Lunar exploration

[tolbachik-art]

Commission - This Grand Nest

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As always, image ID will be in the alt text and the reblogs. :)

[thepastisalreadywritten]

The United States has returned to the lunar surface for the first time in more than 50 years after a privately-built spacecraft named Odysseus capped a nail-biting 73-minute descent from orbit with a touchdown near the moon’s south pole.

Amid celebrations of what NASA hailed “a giant leap forward,” there was no immediate confirmation of the status or condition of the lander, other than it had reached its planned landing site at crater Malapert A.

But later Intuitive Machines, the Texas-based company that built the first commercial craft to land on the moon, said the craft was “upright and starting to send data.”

The statement on X said mission managers were “working to downlink the first images from the lunar surface.”

The so-called “soft landing” on Thursday, which Steve Altemus, the company’s founder, had given only an 80% chance of succeeding, was designed to open a new era of lunar exploration as NASA works towards a scheduled late-2026 mission to send humans back there.

“Welcome to the moon,” Altemus said when touchdown when the 5.23pm touchdown was eventually confirmed, after about 10 minutes in which Odysseus was out of contact.

It was the first time any US-built spacecraft had landed on the moon since NASA’s most recent crewed visit, the Apollo 17 mission in December 1972, and the first visit by commercial vehicle following last month’s failure of Peregrine One, another partnership between the space agency and a private company, Astrobotic.

“Today, for the first time in more than a half century, the US has returned to the moon. Today, for the first time in the history of humanity, a commercial company, an American company, launched and led the voyage up there,” Bill Nelson, the NASA administrator, said.

“What a triumph. Odysseus has taken the moon. This feat is a giant leap forward for all of humanity.”

There was no video of Odysseus’s fully autonomous descent, which slowed to about 2.2mph at 33ft above the surface.

But a camera built by students at Florida’s Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University was designed to fall and take pictures immediately before touchdown, and NASA cameras were set to photograph the ground from the spacecraft.

The 14ft (4.3 metres) hexagonal, six-legged Nova-C lander, affectionately nicknamed Odie by Intuitive Machines employees, is part of NASA’s commercial lunar payload services (CLPS) initiative in which the agency awards contracts to private partners, largely to support the Artemis program.

NASA contributed $118m to get it off the ground, with Intuitive Machines funding a further $130m ahead of its February 15 launch from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center on a Falcon 9 rocket from Elon Musk’s SpaceX company.

The IM-1 mission, like the doomed Peregrine effort, is carrying a payload of scientific equipment designed to gather data about the lunar environment, specifically in the rocky region chosen as the landing site for NASA’s crewed Artemis III mission planned for two years’ time.

It is a hazardous area – “pockmarked with all of these craters,” according to Nelson – but chosen because it is believed to be rich in frozen water that could help sustain a permanent lunar base crucial to future human missions to Mars.

Scientists announced last year that they believed tiny glass beads strewn across the moon’s surface contained potentially “billions of tonnes of water” that could be extracted and used on future missions.

The risks are worth it, Nelson told CNN on Thursday, “to see if there is water in abundance. Because if there’s water, there’s rocket fuel: hydrogen, and oxygen. And we could have a gas station on the south pole of the moon.”

The planned operational life of the solar powered lander is only seven days, before the landing site about 186 miles from the moon’s south pole moves into Earth’s shadow.

But NASA hopes that will be long enough for analysis of how soil there reacted to the impact of the landing.

Other instruments will focus on space weather effects on the lunar surface, while a network of markers for communication and navigation will be deployed.

“Odysseus, powered by a company called Intuitive Machines, launched upon a SpaceX rocket, carrying a bounty of NASA scientific instruments, is bearing the dream of a new adventure in science, innovation, and American leadership in space,” Nelson said.

Through Artemis, NASA’s return-to-the-moon program that also has longer-term visions of crewed missions to Mars within the next two decades, the US seeks to stay ahead of Russia and China, both of which are planning their own human lunar landings.

Only the US has previously landed astronauts in six Apollo missions between 1969 and 1972, while five countries have placed uncrewed spacecraft there.

Japan joined the US, Russia, China, and India last month when its Smart Lander for Investigating the Moon (Slim) made a successful, if awkward touchdown after a three-month flight.

Two further Intuitive Machines launches are scheduled for later this year, including an ice drill to extract ingredients for rocket fuel, and another Nova-C lander containing a small Nasa rover and four small robots that will explore surface conditions.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/feb/22/us-moon-landing-odysseus-intuitive-machines

US returns to lunar surface with for first time in over 50 years

23 February 2024

A spacecraft built and flown by Texas-based company Intuitive Machines landed near the south pole of the moon, the first US touchdown on the lunar surface in more than half a century, and the first ever achieved entirely by the private sector.

Communication with Odysseus seemed be lost during the final stages of the landing, leaving mission control uncertain as to the precise condition and position of the lander, according to flight controllers heard in the webcast.

US returns to lunar surface for first time in over 50 years: ‘Welcome to the moon.’

[realspaceships]

Nereus Terminal by GTGRAPHICS.DE

[coucoumacherie]

NASAs next generation lunar suits will be made in cooperation with Prada and I just find that really funny

[imaginethebeautifulworld]

hermann gottlieb: on lunar exploration & lying to lab partners

Newton still has... moments. Fortunately, Hermann has become something of an expert.

Drafted this at work yesterday while my students did some freewriting. Five word prompt, and this AU came to life almost instantly. 1.539 words.

"I think I hate this."

 "I know this is asking for the impossible, but could you please shut up?"

 "No; I definitely hate this," Newt decided, plowing ahead as if completely unaware of Hermann speaking. The latter silently seethed, once more damning Fate and his father and every other confounded thing that had led to him being stuck here with this... menace.

 Hermann turned from the observation screen with a scathing remark at the ready, but felt it deteriorate immediately upon seeing the distressing state of his partner.

 Newton had situated himself on the floor, picking listlessly at some loose grout along the baseboard. Hermann frowned at the motion- the grout in question had developed a disturbingly bright, violet patina; as their lab and quarters were from the original base, it was likely a few decades old already.

 And Newton, their alleged “expert” on microbes and fungi, was poking his bare fingers into it.

 Wonderful.

 The irritation was easily dismissed however, replaced by a flicker of concern as Hermann observed the repetitive action, realizing that this wasn't Newton's usual restlessness. 

 The pattern was too familiar after spending so long working next to the man- the way Newton had pulled his lower lip between his teeth, the subtle way he had shoved his entire body into as small a position as possible, right arm curved protectively around the folded legs, chin was only millimeters away from resting on his knees.

 Stars help him, but he had seen this far too many times before.

 "Newton, have you taken-"

 "I mean, I know we're not in that much danger out here, I know that, but every time someone goes out there I get so caught up worrying about what might happen to them or what might come back with them or- It's- It's stupid; I’m being stupid, but it's like I can't stop and-"

 His leg would give him hell for this later, but at the moment, he couldn't care less. Hermann carefully took a seat on Newton's right, before promptly wrapping his left arm about the younger's shoulders and hauling him into something resembling an embrace.

 Newton stuttered out the beginnings a protest, but it fell away just as quickly, and he relaxed slightly. With a mild sense of victory, Hermann allowed himself a small smile, thumb tracing light fractals onto Newton's upper arm, the ridges in his skin snagging slightly on the Mylar of Newton's uniform.

 "I must look pretty bad right now, huh." It was an only observation, a passing rhetorical, but Hermann couldn't help but hum an assent anyway, Newton letting out a small sound of frustration.

 "I should be better than this by now. Hell I- I'm on the actual Moon! How is my anxiety still this bad?"

 Hermann took a moment to consider how he should answer- _if _he should answer. But at Newton's subtle behest… Well, something was expected.

 He was humbled- Newton trusting that Hermann could offer him a solution, that he could read the man better than Newton himself and offer some quantifiable, justifiable conclusion which could finally set his mind at ease.

 But the human mind wasn't so simple as that; he knew firsthand how damnably un-simple it was.

 Before one could even be considered for being stationed at Lunar Outpost GQ-654, they were required to take part in strenuous mental and physical examinations (with some notable exemptions), and well-

 While he, in his own humble opinion, did an admirable job of concealing it, Hermann's mind was also filled with- as Newton had once phrased so eloquently- a “big ol' bag of cats.”

 Another smile, this one unbidden, as he recalled that evening, watching Newton fly about the lab in his excitement, rambling (only partly-coherent) about the new water samples collected by Commander Mori's team on their latest mission. Captain Beckett had been visiting and surveying with fond amusement as Newton carried on, his tirade having shifted to something minutely conversational, dragging Raleigh into a debate about- A children’s game?

 Oh, it was an age ago. Hermann couldn't recall every detail, but the core sensations of the memory remained: warmth, affection, familiarity.

 And familiarity- perhaps acknowledgement?- was what Newton needed most.

 "I don't much care for the dark side, myself."

 He felt Newton stiffen slightly; had it been too long since he'd spoken last?

 No... No. the coordinates for Mako's team showed that it had only been a few moments, barely any time having passed at all since he had taken a seat on the floor.

 Newton was quiet, frame still coiled with tension that was edging towards contagious, Hermann's own fears starting to-

 "Somehow I always seem to forget you're just as much a mess as I am."

 Hermann couldn't repress a sardonic huff of laughter at that, letting his head fall back to rest against the cold wall, eyes fluttering shut as he sang softly. "'Misery... Misery loves company.'" He paused, resumed in his normal tone, almost conversationally. "Or so they say."

 Newton shifted, relaxing and stretching out his left leg, letting out a pained noise as his knee cracked. Hermann winced in sympathy; their pending approach towards middle age was agreeing with neither of them. 

 After a few short breaths, he could hear a tease in Newton's voice. "Never woulda pegged you for an Anthrax fan."

 "I'm not," Hermann lied easily. "But when you insist on playing that incessant caterwauling at all hours-"

 "Hey-"

 "-is it so hard to believe I would find at least one or two things that are somewhat tolerable?"

 Newton's stunned silence- no matter how brief it would likely be- was a proverbial point to Hermann. He felt his smile grow, and could practically envision the consternation eclipsing the other's face.

 "Herms..."

 Oh. Oh dear, no. That wasn't the correct tone.

 Alarmed, Hermann straightened, eyes wide as he tried to assess the condition of his crewmate. "Newton?"

 Bright, hazel eyes were angled upwards to meet his own, and there was-

 Oh, bugger him to hell.

 -that damned smirk.

 "You just admitted you like my music."

 "I admitted to no such thing. I simply suggested-"

 "Lie all you want, dude. I know now," Newton elongated and deepened his words, a practiced attempt at mimicking a villain from some cheesy B-rated sci-fi film. Hermann was surprised that Newton didn't punctuate his words with a-

 "Mu-wha-ha-ha-ha."

 -There it was.

 "You're a bloody juvenile."

 "Shut up; you love it," Newton chirped, voice finally peeling in its normal register. A little humiliation on his own end perhaps, but it was worth it to see Newton bouncing- quite literally- back on his feet, bright smile in place, holding out a hand to help Hermann stand.

 "In small increments, Newton. Small increments," Hermann found himself acquiescing as he took the proffered hand, wincing as he avoided placing too much weight on his right leg.

 He hoped Newton hadn't-

 "You good?"

 -Oh of course he had noticed.

 Hermann waved off Newton's concern, awkwardly ambling back towards his work station. The screen shifted to follow him, intuitively adjusting for the most convenient angle of its intended viewers. "I'll drop by Medical for more painkillers after J43-G3R is back in the docking bay."

 As much as it ached, Hermann was still in charge of monitoring his Robotics' programming whenever one of the teams was out. If there were any faults or coding errors, then he needed to-

 "I'll get 'em for you, dude."

 Newton's voice cut off his train of thought, eyes dragging away from the observation screen. "Pardon?"

 The other man offered a small shrug. "You asked me earlier about my meds, and I really did forget this morning. Figured I'll save you the wait and grab yours while I'm there."

 Fondness settled like a small weight in his chest, and he internally sighed in relief. "Thank you, Newton. I would be most grateful."

 Newton offered him double finger-guns as he shuffled backwards out the door. "Anytime, my guy."

 Hermann started to turn back to his computer, the long lists of data that he would be sorting through come tomorrow, before he heard familiar footsteps once again.

 "Hey Herms?"

 Hermann didn't look away from his screen, only slightly tilting his head in Newton's direction. "Mm?"

 "Thanks for earlier. I don't say it a lot, but I don't know how I'd get by without ya."

 Hermann felt his entire body stutter at the spontaneous introduction of sentimentality; it was one thing to offer a loved one a physical gesture of comfort, but words-

 Newton was watching him with that fond, foolish look he knew well now. Oh, it had dimmed for a time, somewhere between their first attempt at friendship and becoming begrudging research partners, but it had long since become so synonymous with all things Hermann now considered _Newton _that he couldn't help but offer a reflexive smile back.

 "Get out of here, you blasted menace," he ordered, words still holding a tad too much fondness.

 With a backwards shuffle and a mocking salute, Newton's expression shifted into a mischievous grin, the man almost side-swiping the doorway as he finally departed.

 Hermann rolled his eyes before turning back to his work, lightly humming along to a song he most definitely wasn't a fan of. 

[meowtifullycute]

Lunar Odyssey: Astronauts Unveiling the Secrets of the Moon!

[ivovynckier]

I'll be damned! He did not fall out of a window. Or crash the lunar surface...

[somethingusefulfromflorida]

Artemis is a great name for a lunar exploration program, so why the hell did we call the first one Apollo? Artemis is the goddess of the Moon! Apollo is her twin, sure, but he's the exact opposite, the god of the sun! It would be like naming a Mars mission Aphrodite instead of Ares because Aphrodite is Ares' lover, even though Aphrodite is clearly a name for a Venus program.

Mercury made sense because it was the first American spaceflight program and Mercury is the first planet from the sun, but it was also symbolic for carrying humanity's message to space.

Gemini made sense because the spacecraft was designed for two people, and Gemini represents the twins Castor and Pollux.

Apollo is just back-assward. It doesn't make sense.

[vreins]

... on the moon

model Rui Ma / photographer Reinosa Reinosa Reinosa

[scientificinquirer-blog]

DAILY DOSE: SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn Mission Reaches New Heights; Young Mouse Ovaries Rejuvenate Old Eggs’ Quality.

SPACEX’S POLARIS DAWN BEGINS HISTORIC MISSION WITH SPACEWALK SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission launched at 5:23 a.m. ET, marking a historic journey into Earth’s Van Allen radiation belts. This mission, streamed live on X, involves a four-person civilian crew who will attempt the first commercial spacewalk. The crew, including SpaceX employees, will travel in the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, launched…

[edutechblog]

Chandrayaan-3 is a lunar exploration mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It is part of India’s Chandrayaan program and follows the Chandrayaan-2 mission. Chandrayaan-3 aims to demonstrate India’s capability to perform a soft landing on the Moon. Unlike its predecessor, Chandrayaan-3 consists only of a lander and a rover, without an orbiter.

[gpstudios]

Celebrating National Moon Day: Honoring Lunar Exploration and Wonder

Happy National Moon Day! 🌕 Celebrate the Apollo 11 moon landing and our ongoing fascination with the moon. Dive into its history, enjoy stargazing, and embrace the wonder of lunar exploration!

Introduction Happy National Moon Day! 🌕 Today, we celebrate the anniversary of one of humanity’s greatest achievements—the Apollo 11 moon landing. On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made history as the first humans to set foot on the lunar surface, while Michael Collins orbited above in the command module. National Moon Day commemorates this monumental event and the ongoing…

[africa-space-com]

Lunar dust: its impact on equipment and astronaut health

When we think about space exploration, we often imagine astronauts floating in zero gravity, exploring new frontiers, and discovering the unknown. However, one less glamorous aspect of lunar missions is lunar dust. This fine, powdery substance poses significant challenges for both equipment and astronaut health. Let’s dive into the gritty details of lunar dust and its impacts.

What is lunar dust?

Lunar dust is composed of tiny, sharp particles formed by billions of years of meteorite impacts on the moon's surface. Unlike Earth dust, lunar dust is extremely abrasive and sticky due to its jagged edges and lack of weathering. It clings to everything it touches, making it a persistent nuisance for astronauts and their gear.

Impact on equipment:

Wear and tear

Lunar dust is incredibly abrasive, which can cause significant wear and tear on equipment. The sharp particles can grind down moving parts, leading to mechanical failures. During the Apollo missions, astronauts found that the dust wore down their tools and even caused issues with their space suits and visors.

Thermal regulation

Lunar dust can also interfere with thermal regulation systems. Equipment on the moon must withstand extreme temperatures, and thermal coatings are used to protect against these variations. However, dust accumulation can degrade these coatings, leading to overheating or freezing of critical systems.

Electrical issues

The dust’s static cling can lead to electrical problems. Dust particles can stick to surfaces and create short circuits or other malfunctions in electronic devices. This was a concern during the Apollo missions and remains a challenge for future lunar explorations.

Impact on astronaut health:

Respiratory issues

One of the most significant health concerns is the potential for respiratory problems. The fine particles can be easily inhaled, and once inside the lungs, they can cause irritation and long-term damage. There’s concern that prolonged exposure could lead to conditions similar to silicosis, a lung disease caused by inhaling fine dust.

Skin and eye irritation

Lunar dust is not just a problem when inhaled. It can also cause skin irritation and eye problems. Astronauts reported that the dust caused "lunar hay fever," with symptoms like sneezing, watery eyes, and throat irritation. It can also lead to skin abrasions and infections due to its abrasive nature.

Contamination of habitat

Once lunar dust enters the habitat, it’s tough to get rid of. The fine particles can contaminate air filters, food, and water supplies, posing further health risks. Keeping the living environment dust-free is a major challenge for mission planners.

Mitigating the effects of lunar dust:

Improved suit design

Future space missions are focusing on improving space suit designs to minimize dust infiltration. Innovations include better sealing mechanisms and materials that are less likely to be damaged by abrasive particles.

Dust management systems

Developing effective dust management systems is crucial. This includes better air filtration systems within habitats and tools designed to clean equipment without spreading the dust further.

Habitat design

Habitat designs are also being adapted to include features like airlocks with built-in dust removal systems, ensuring that astronauts can clean off before entering living areas.

Lunar dust may seem like a minor inconvenience, but its impact on both equipment and astronaut health is significant. Addressing these challenges is essential for the success of future lunar missions. As we prepare to return to the moon and beyond, understanding and mitigating the effects of lunar dust will help ensure the safety and success of our space explorers.

[coucoumacherie]

Mengzhou-Orion Joint Operations (MOJO), a hypothetical Chinese-American circumlunar flight. ASTP for the 21st century.

Made by @ Element115 on x.com using blender