US space agency Nasa has selected three new lunar science payloads to fly to the Moon as part of its Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative.
Targeted for a lunar landing in 2028 at the earliest, the research payloads will provide new data on the Moon’s surface and interior to help enhance knowledge of the lunar environment and support future missions.
The payloads will be delivered by US commercial space companies under the CLPS programme. This initiative helps Nasa work with industry to advance the Artemis programme’s goals of scientific discovery and future crewed lunar missions.
Joel Kearns, deputy associate administrator for exploration in science mission directorate at Nasa, said: “With CLPS, Nasa has been taking a new approach to lunar science, relying on US industry innovation to travel to the surface of the Moon.
“These selections continue this pipeline of lunar exploration through research that will not only expand our knowledge about the Moon’s history and environment...