NASAは、2台の1トン級南極探査ローバーとその輸送を担うBlue Originの着陸船の開発契約として約7億2,000万ドルを締結しました。これは、当初掲げていた大規模な月面基地構想から方針を転換し、計画を絞り込んだことを示しています。
同機関は、Astrolab社（CLV-1開発に2億1,900万ドル）とLunar Outpost社（Pegasus開発に2億2,000万ドル）を、走行距離200kmを誇る自律走行ローバーの製造先に選定しました。また、Blue Origin社には、同社の着陸船「Blue Moon Mark 1」を用いた輸送ミッションに対して2億8,040万ドルが授与されました。NASAのジャレッド・アイザックマン長官は、今回の契約により有人月面着陸を2028年以降に実施する目標を維持できると述べました。これらの契約は、以前検討されていた広大な月面基地計画ではなく、発展しつつある月経済を支援する枠組みへと再定義されています。
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NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced the Ignition initiative on March 24, canceling the Lunar Gateway orbiting station to focus on a $20 billion three-phase moon base on the lunar surface. The shift, echoing Trump administration budget proposals, supports frequent Artemis crewed landings amid competition from China and preparations for the first crewed Artemis mission with a launch window opening April 1.
NASA announced new contract awards on Tuesday for the initial elements of a planned lunar base, including two rovers and their delivery to the Moon. The moves support the agency's Moon Base initiative ahead of a crewed return scheduled for no earlier than 2028.
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Nasa has detailed a multi-year effort to establish a permanent base on the moon near its south pole. The announcement on 26 May outlined initial uncrewed missions starting later this year.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman confirmed that the two delivered habitable modules for the Lunar Gateway space station, HALO and I-HAB, have corrosion issues. The revelation came during Congressional testimony and adds to reasons for pausing the program to prioritize lunar surface missions. Northrop Grumman and the European Space Agency are addressing the problem.
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Four astronauts are heading to the Moon for the first time in over 50 years. The crew launched at 18:35 local time from Cape Canaveral, Florida, aboard the Orion capsule atop the Space Launch System. The mission builds on Artemis 1 and sets milestones for women and non-white astronauts.
Scientists from the University of Basel, ETH Zurich, and the European Space Agency have tested a quadrupedal robot equipped with a robotic arm to explore planetary surfaces more efficiently. The robot navigated rocky terrain autonomously, identifying targets and collecting data faster than traditional human-guided methods. The findings, published this week, suggest it could accelerate resource prospecting and searches for signs of life on the moon and Mars.
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NASA has completed initial evaluations of the Artemis II mission systems following the crew's safe return from a lunar flyby earlier this month. The Orion spacecraft and SLS rocket performed as expected, setting a new record for the farthest distance traveled from Earth. Minor issues arose with the toilet system, but the crew resolved them successfully.