Friday / 20 March 2015

46th LPSC Revealing Further Data On Moon Evolution, Structure, Habitability

46th LPSC

Final Day Of 46th LPSC At The Woodlands TX Focuses On “Early Lunar Evolution: Accretion To Crustal Formation & More”, “Later Lunar Evolution: How Old Is Old?”, “Impact Craters On Mars & The Moon”;  New Map Of Moon, Produced By Jack Wilson & Team At Durham University, Charts Thorium Spread 70,000km2 From Volcanic Eruption 3.5B Years Ago; Study By David Blair & Colleagues At Purdue University Concludes Moon Lava Tubes Of 1km+ Would Be Structurally Sound For Permanent Bases, Tunnels Are Expected To Be Larger On Moon Than On Earth Due To Lower Gravity

Image Credit: LPSC, LPI, NASA, Durham University, GSFC, ASU, LRO

Tuesday / 24 February 2015

Independent Moon Missions Advancing

Independent Moon MissionsTeam Hakuto Of Japan Announces It Is Teaming Up With Astrobotic To Land Rovers On Moon; Astrobotic Hopes To Carry Rovers From Several Teams On Its Griffin Lander, Setting Up An Actual 500-M Race To Win The US$20M GLXP; More Teams In Talks With Astrobotic About Ride-Share Possibilities; Team Hakuto Intends To Explore Lunar Skylights With Rovers Moonraker & Tetris; ILOA Also Advancing Mission To Land Observation / Communication Payload Near Moon South Pole Through Southeast Asia Meetings Including Galaxy Forum In Thailand Today

Image Credit: Astrobotic, Hakuto, NARIT, ILOA

Thursday / 22 January 2015

GLXP Team Hakuto Advancing Mission
With Milestone Prize Tests

Hakuto0115

Japan-Based GLXP Team Hakuto Awaiting Announcement Of Results After Completing Milestone Prize Tests To Prove Flight Readiness Of Pre-Flight Model Rovers Moonraker & Tetris; Team Conducted Vibration, Thermal Vacuum & Field Mobility Tests; Field Tests In Nakatajima Sand Dunes, Overseen By GLXP Judge David Swanson & 25 Media Reps; 2 Rovers Successfully Climbed 30-Degree Slope, Navigated Through Obstacles, Completed 500-m Trek In ~4 Hours, Demonstrated Potential For Skylight Navigation Through Dual-Rover Towing System

Image Credit: Hakuto

Tuesday / 16 December 2014

Astrobotic ‘MoonMail’ Brings Moon Mission Participation To Individuals

MoonMail1214

New Service Provides Opportunity For People Around World To Send Special Small Items To Lunar Surface Aboard Griffin Lander On (NET Late 2015) Moon Mission; Packages Range From US$460 For 1.27 X 0.3-cm Hexagonal Package To $25,800 For 2.5 X 5-cm Package; Mission Will Include Lander, Nicknamed Andy, Which Will Attempt To Complete Requirements To Claim GLXP & Potentially Explore Interesting Cave Formations In Lacus Mortis Landing Site (45.0° N, 27.2° E)

Image Credit: astrobotic.com