Moon
NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket is set to launch Artemis II as soon as April 1, 2026, sending four astronauts on a crewed flyby to the Moon's far side—the farthest from Earth any humans have traveled. This follows February's Artemis program adjustments addressing SLS delays, using the rocket's powerful core stage and boosters detailed ahead of liftoff.
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Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have successfully grown chickpeas in simulated moon dirt, marking a potential step toward lunar farming. The experiment combined lunar regolith simulant with worm compost and fungi to enable plant growth in otherwise inhospitable conditions. While promising, further tests are needed to ensure the crops are safe and nutritious for astronauts.
A new study reveals that a massive asteroid struck the moon from the north about 4.3 billion years ago, forming the vast South Pole-Aitken basin and exposing deep interior materials. This glancing blow explains the basin's uneven terrain and the concentration of key elements on the moon's near side. The findings could aid NASA's Artemis missions in uncovering lunar history.
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A new analysis indicates that the moon's South Pole-Aitken basin, its oldest and largest crater, likely formed from an asteroid impact originating from the north rather than the south. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the moon's early history. The discovery could enhance the value of NASA's upcoming Artemis III mission to the basin's rim.