Moon

Scientists say a giant impact knocked off the raw ingredients for the moon off the primitive molten Earth and into orbit.

Related Topics: Earth, Apollo Program, Moon Phases 

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photograph of rocket on launch pad

Moon vs. Mars: NASA's ultimate destination has varied over the decades

By JoAnna Wendel published

The moon and Mars have battled for precedence in NASA's exploration priorities.

spaceship on moon with crescent earth in behind

Artemis Accords: Why the international moon exploration framework matters

By Elizabeth Howell published

As Artemis 1 prepares for an epic launch toward the moon, NASA and a space law expert discuss the Artemis Accords governing the agency's future missions, alongside international partners.

astrobotic rover backdropped by moon lander

Little private moon rover will try to survive the long, cold lunar night

By Elizabeth Howell published

Astrobotic received NASA funding for its mission to send a rover to the moon and keep operating it after the frigid, two-week-long lunar night.

artemis 1 rocket lifting off from launch pad in illustration

Here's how to follow NASA's Artemis 1 moon mission in real time after launch

By Elizabeth Howell published

NASA will launch a dedicated tracking website Sunday (Aug. 28), the day before the moon mission's first liftoff opportunity.

An illustration of the Earth, the moon and Mars (not to scale). Future crewed space missions will use the lunar surface as a stepping stone to the Red Planet.

The Artemis plan: Why NASA sees the moon as a stepping stone to Mars

By Robert Lea published

NASA's Artemis program aims to return humans to the moon, in preparation for our eventual journey to Mars.

far side of moon

The moon's far side could offer a view of the universe even deeper than the James Webb Space Telescope

By Keith Cooper published

The potential science from future lunar missions stretches far beyond the moon.

An illustration of the Orion spacecraft traveling through space towards the moon.

Artemis 1 paves way for European tech and astronauts on the moon

By Tereza Pultarova published

The Artemis program may see the first European orbit the moon in 2025 and have European landers touch down on Earth's companion in early 2030s.

An artist's impression of astronauts working on the surface of the moon.

As NASA nears return to the moon with Artemis program, lunar scientists' excitement reaches fever pitch

By Keith Cooper published

With NASA's return to the moon with Artemis moving ever closer, lunar scientists look forward to the possibilities for science.

NASA's Artemis 1 Space Launch System on the launch pad with lightning towers nearby and a blue sky.

NASA's Artemis 1 moon mission is 'go' for Aug. 29 launch

By Tariq Malik published

NASA has cleared its Artemis 1 mission to launch an uncrewed test flight around the moon on Aug. 29.

An illustration of the night sky on Aug. 25 including Venus in close proximity to the moon.

The moon and Venus will make one last morning dance on Thursday (Aug. 25)

By Joe Rao published

On Thursday Aug. 25 we will have an opportunity to catch sight of the two brightest objects in the night sky, Venus and the moon, engaged in a final morning dance.

NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket is photographed at Launch Pad 39B at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on March 18, 2022.

NASA's epic Artemis 1 moon mission launch is just 1 week away

By Mike Wall published

NASA's historic Artemis 1 mission will launch toward the moon one week from today (Aug. 22), if all goes according to plan.

photo of moon rising over snowy mountain

Why we're always so entranced by the moon

By Stefanie Waldek published

For practically all of human existence, we've been fascinated by our closest celestial neighbor, incorporating it into myth, fantasy and scientific research.

site diagram

NASA's Artemis 3 moon-landing astronauts will explore 1 of these 13 lunar locales

By Meghan Bartels published

We now know where on the moon NASA astronauts will set foot after more than 50 years' absence.

artemis 1 rocket lifting off from launch pad in illustration

Artemis 1 virtual reality experience aims to bring epic NASA moon launch to you

By Elizabeth Howell published

An immersive, virtual reality experience will put viewers next to the launch pad as Artemis 1 lifts off for the moon. The mission is scheduled for Aug. 29.

The Artemis 3 mission is expected to land near the moon's south pole in 2025.

Watch NASA unveil landing sites for Artemis 3 human return to the moon today

By Tereza Pultarova published

NASA will unveil potential future landing sites for human return on the surface of the moon and you can watch the briefing on Space.com today (Aug. 19), or directly on the space agency's website.

Artemis 3 artist's illustration showing SpaceX Starship on the moon with Earth in behind

NASA's Artemis 3 mission: Landing humans on the moon

By Elizabeth Howell published

Reference Artemis 3 is a planned landing mission that will put humans on the surface of the moon. It is scheduled to touch down in 2025, assuming previous missions go to plan.

Artist's illustration of Artemis 2 mission including the Orion spacecraft with Earth in background

NASA's Artemis 2 mission: Taking humans around the moon

By Elizabeth Howell published

Reference Artemis 2 will launch a crew of astronauts around the moon in a system using the Space Launch System megarocket and Orion spacecraft.

spacecraft flying in earth orbit with three manekins shown in a cutaway

Artemis 1 will help NASA protect astronauts from deep space radiation

By Elizabeth Howell published

Three mannequins and several biological and radiation experiments will assess the radiation environment near the moon during Artemis 1.

A rendering of the Japanese lunar lander OMOTENASHI above the lunar surface.

Artemis 1 will carry tiny Japanese lunar lander to the moon

By Stefanie Waldek published

The OMOTENASHI mission is the only secondary payload on Artemis 1 that will have a controlled landing on the surface of the moon.

An illustration of the night sky on Aug. 18 showing the moon and Mars in close proximity.

Moon to pay Mars an early morning visit on Friday (Aug. 19)

By Joe Rao published

On the morning of Friday (Aug. 19), the moon and Mars will both be visible in the eastern sky.