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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artist's conception of a small spacecraft firing its engines while deploying a rolling lander on the surface of the moon. an orange spiral suggests the lander's movements

Artemis 1's tiny Japanese probe abandons moon landing try

By Elizabeth Howell published

A tiny cubesat moon lander riding with Artemis 1 could not establish contact in time to reach its destination, but it may be able to do some other deep-space work.

orion spacecraft at left, earth at bottom and moon at right with black of space behind

Artemis 1's Orion spacecraft sees Earth setting behind moon (video)

By Elizabeth Howell published

The Orion spacecraft's lunar flyby Monday (Nov. 21) delivered a celestial Thanksgiving treat a few days early, as its cameras caught the distant Earth setting behind our moon.

NASA's CAPSTONE probe arrived in lunar orbit on Nov. 13, 2022. This is an artist's illustration of the cubesat.

NASA's CAPSTONE cubesat reaches final orbit around the moon

By Mike Wall published

NASA's tiny CAPSTONE spacecraft has settled into its final lunar orbit, shifting into the operational phase of its pioneering moon mission.

plumes of orange smoke underneath a rocket lifting off into space, with black of night in behind

Huge Artemis 1 moon rocket blew the doors off NASA's launch tower elevators (video)

By Elizabeth Howell published

NASA is assessing the damage Artemis 1 left behind after the huge Space Launch System rocket lifted off on Nov. 16, but officials emphasize everything is manageable for future missions.

Artist's conception of BioSentinel, one of the confirmed operational Artemis 1 cubesats.

NASA's Artemis 1 mission launched 10 cubesats. Here's how they're doing

By Elizabeth Howell published

Most of the Artemis 1 cubesats have checked in as the Orion spacecraft looped around the moon, but a few still have not phoned home after launch.

The Mobile Power Rover 1 will supply electricity to robots exploring permanently shadowed craters around the lunar south pole.

'Power tower' rover to land on the moon by 2025

By Tereza Pultarova published

A "charger" rover that could supply power to robots exploring shaded craters on the moon's south pole will join expanding lunar infrastructure by 2025.

NASA's Artemis I Orion spacecraft heads for a close flyby of the moon as seen in this "selfie" taken by a camera mounted on one of the capsule's solar array wings on Monday, Nov. 21, 2022. Four small pieces of the moon collected by the Apollo 11 mission were on board the Orion for the journey.

NASA's Artemis 1 spacecraft flies by moon with Apollo 11 lunar soil aboard

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

Four small pieces of the moon on a NASA spacecraft have come closer to the lunar surface than they have been in over 50 years. The Apollo 11 samples' return home was part of the Artemis 1 mission.

The NASA Orion spacecraft from Artemis 1 during a live broadcast November 21, 2022, with Earth far in the background and the moon at right.

NASA's Artemis 1 Orion spacecraft aces close moon flyby in crucial engine burn

By Mike Wall published

Orion zoomed just 80 miles (130 kilometers) above the lunar surface Monday (Nov. 21) at 7:44 a.m. ET. and completed an engine burn needed to continue its historic mission.

The moon as seen from an Artemis 1 Orion spacecraft solar array camera on Nov. 18, 2022.

Artemis 1 Orion spacecraft sees the moon for 1st time in stunning video

By Tariq Malik published

NASA's Orion spacecraft has spotted the destination of its Artemis 1 test flight the moon and captured a stunning video to mark the moment.

A view of Earth as seen from the Artemis 1 Orion capsule more than 9 hours into flight on Nov. 16, 2022.

Artemis 1 Orion spacecraft 'exceeding expectations' and on track for moon flyby on Nov. 21

By Mike Wall published

NASA's Artemis 1 Orion capsule is exceeding expectations in deep space and remains on target to fly by the moon on Monday (Nov. 21), agency officials said.

orion spacecraft in foreground with solar panel pointing towards the earth in behind

Follow Orion's trip to the moon with NASA Artemis 1 tracking website

By Elizabeth Howell published

Watch the Artemis 1 Orion spacecraft during its moon journey, or download the tracking information for use in data visualizations or other applications.

Continuing a tradition: Former space shuttle launch director Mike Leinbach (left) cuts Artemis launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson's tie shortly after the successful liftoff of the Artemis 1 mission on Nov. 16, 2022.

NASA celebrates successful Artemis 1 launch by cutting ties

By Josh Dinner published

Artemis 1 has finally taken flight, and NASA officials took a bit of time to savor the success.

streak of a rocket lifting off into space in the black night

NASA's Artemis 1 moon mission will carry science across the solar system

By Elizabeth Howell published

NASA's chief scientist said the Artemis 1 launch of Wednesday (Nov. 16) will swiftly change science across the solar system, with studies in radiation and sustainability also helping Earthlings.

vice-president kamala harris beside an orion spacecraft and surrounded by a few people, including two astronauts

President Biden, VP Harris hail NASA Artemis 1 moon rocket launch and its 'limitless possibilities'

By Elizabeth Howell published

Vice President Kamala Harris, who is also chair of the National Space Council, wished NASA and its partners well as Artemis 1 flies towards the moon.

An illustration of NASA's Orion spacecraft with the moon in background

Spot NASA's Artemis 1 Orion on its way to the moon in a free livestream (Nov. 19)

By Tariq Malik last updated

NASA's Artemis 1 Orion spacecraft is headed to the moon and you have a chance to see the spacecraft in a telescope online Saturday night (Nov. 19).

NASA's Artemis 1 mission successfully launched on November 16, 2022.

Artemis 1 launch success makes NASA's SLS the most powerful rocket ever to fly

By Mike Wall published

With Wednesday morning's (Nov. 16) Artemis 1 launch, NASA's Space Launch System became the most powerful rocket ever to fly a successful mission.

Snoopy, the Artemis 1 zero gravity indicator, is seen inside the Orion spacecraft in this photo taken before launch.

Spacesuited Snoopy doll floats in zero-g on moon-bound Artemis 1 mission

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

Snoopy, "the world-famous astronaut," has made it to space again. The white-spotted dog, who became "the first beagle on the moon" in the Peanuts comic strips, is now aboard NASA's Artemis 1 mission.

streaking image of a rocket caught across a background map of moving clouds

Epic Artemis 1 moon rocket launch spotted streaking through Earth's atmosphere in satellite image

By Elizabeth Howell published

NASA's Artemis 1 launch to the moon streaks to space in a view from a weather satellite, which spotted the Space Launch System's water trail after liftoff Wednesday (Nov. 16).

NASA's Artemis 1 mission launches toward the moon from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Nov. 16, 2022.

Artemis 1 in flight: What's next for the epic NASA moon mission?

By Josh Dinner published

NASA's Space Launch System rocket just sent the Orion spacecraft toward the moon. Here's what to expect on the Artemis 1 mission.

NASA's Orion capsule separates from the upper stage of its Artemis 1 Space Launch System rocket about 1 hour and 55 minutes after launch on Nov. 16, 2022.

NASA's Artemis 1 moon mission heads for lunar orbit after crucial engine burn

By Mike Wall published

NASA's Artemis 1 mission is officially on its way to the moon, thanks to an 18-minute-long engine burn by the upper stage of the SLS rocket.