NASA to Launch 12 Payloads for Lunar Research, Demonstrations

NASA will launch 12 science and technology payloads in an effort to study more of the Moon’s surface as the agency prepares for more lunar trips by 2024.

These payloads will work to investigate and demonstrate space applications as part of the Artemis lunar program, the space agency said Monday. The projects also supports preparations for future manned missions on Mars.

A robotic arm to gather samples, a camera system for lunar vehicles, an instrument to measure the heat flow from the Moon’s interior, and a fast-moving rover for topographic purposes were among the twelve payloads chosen to investigate planetary science or perform technology demonstrations.

NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program will address the procurement requirements needed to launch the payloads.

Principal investigators for the projects are representatives from:

• Alpha Space Test and Research Alliance

• Astrobotic Technology

• Boston University

• Honeybee Robotics

• Maxar Technologies

• Montana State University

• Planetary Science Institute

• Southwest Research Institute

• Texas Tech University

• University of California Berkeley

• University of Colorado Boulder

• University of Maryland College Park