Privately developed spacecraft
will carry a new suite of science gear to the moon in 2026 to support NASA's Artemis lunar exploration program
The agency has selected
two sets of instruments as a part of its Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative
which aims to
study the moon's history and environment using gear delivered by privately developed landers and rovers.
Aside from the scientific
value, such work will help NASA figure out how best to support Artemis astronauts in the harsh lunar environment,
The new science equipment
will be delivered to the surface in 2026, NASA official said in a statement Thursday
Instruments will examine a
weird lunar feature called the Gruithuisen Domes, which formed mysteriously by magma on a world lacking plate tectonics and large amounts of liquid water.