Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
NASA Picks Payloads to Be Toted by 1st Private Moon Landers
By Mike Wall 8 hours ago
We know now what NASA science gear will fly on the first private moon landers, which could launch as early as this year.
The agency has picked 12 science and technology payloads, including three resource-prospecting instruments, for delivery to the lunar surface by robotic commercial landers, officials announced Thursday (Feb. 21).
"This payload selection announcement is the exciting next step on our path to return to the surface of the moon," Steve Clarke, the Science Mission Directorate deputy associate administrator for Exploration at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., said in a statement. [21 Most Marvelous Moon Missions of All Time]
The newly selected payloads, and others that follow in their footsteps, "will begin to build a healthy pipeline of scientific investigations and technology development payloads that we can fly to the lunar surface using U.S. commercial landing delivery services," Clarke added. "Future calls for payloads are planned to be released each year for additional opportunities."
More:
https://www.space.com/nasa-payloads-first-private-moon-landers.html
