The Chang'e 7, China's next robotic mission to the moon — tasked with searching for a trace of water on the silver celestial body — has been scheduled to set out on its journey soon. The combination of the Chang'e 7 lunar probe and the Long March 5 Y14 carrier rocket was transferred vertically on Wednesday to the launching area at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in China's #Hainan# province. #LunarExploration# #TechChina#

Trinity brings the heat! 🔥🌕 2,500°F. 900 pounds of thrust. Intuitive Machines' Trinity lunar lander lit up the night during its latest hot fire test, successfully completing engine ignition, main-stage operation, and multiple throttle sequences as we prepare for our third lunar mission, IM-3, targeted for Q1 2027. Lessons from our first two lunar missions are shaping a more advanced Nova-C lunar lander, with expanded sensing capabilities, precision landing technology, and enhanced navigation systems. From successful NavPod testing this past summer to ongoing payload testing and now Trinity's latest hot fire, our teams are knocking down milestones across the mission. During the hot fire test, our team tested the engine's full throttle range, demonstrating the vehicle's readiness for the lunar landing burn. IM-3 will deliver 13 payloads to the Moon's Reiner Gamma region, advancing the lunar transportation capabilities and infrastructure needed to support NASA's Moon Base. #IntuitiveMachines# #IM3# #Trinity# #LunarExploration#

Lunar exploration is evolving from isolated expeditionary missions into a sustainable human presence defined by growing global interdependency, Ulpia-Elena Botezatu, chair of the scientific and technical subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, said at the World Laureates Forum in Shanghai today. As lunar activity intensifies, the critical imperative is fostering equitable global synergy to ensure expanding operations do not compromise future opportunities, she added. #WLF2026# @wlf_fdnofficial

The next chapter of lunar exploration is closer than many realize. Later this year, we’ll begin robotic landings near the Moon’s South Pole, laying the foundation for a sustained human presence on the Moon. Tune in for our @NASAMoonBase update this afternoon.

The next chapter of human lunar exploration will unfold near the Moon’s South Pole. This interactive lets you tour the region where the Moon Base will take shape and explore its distinctive lighting, rugged terrain, and notable landmarks. Launch the interactive:

NASA is betting BIG on SpaceX for the future of lunar exploration, expanding its role across THREE major areas of Moon Base infrastructure: lunar cargo delivery, space transportation, and communications And Starship has been selected for a major new mission in 2028 to deploy communications satellites around the Moon Here's how SpaceX is becoming a major part of NASA's Moon Base ambitions: 1. LUNAR CARGO DELIVERY NASA has selected SpaceX as one of eight companies under its new CLPS 2 framework, a 10-year program worth up to $10 BILLION across all providers This positions SpaceX to compete for future missions delivering critical science equipment, technology, and infrastructure directly to the lunar surface 2. SPACE TRANSPORTATION SpaceX's Falcon 9 is among the launch vehicles named for NASA's newly awarded lunar transportation missions Falcon 9's proven launch capabilities will support missions involving spacecraft transportation, navigation testing, and infrastructure needed for NASA's expanding lunar operations 3. LUNAR COMMUNICATIONS NASA has directly selected SpaceX for a major Starship mission in 2028 Starship will deploy communications satellites into cislunar space, helping establish the communications infrastructure needed to support astronauts, spacecraft, and future operations around the Moon This is MUCH bigger than simply landing astronauts on the lunar surface NASA is building toward a sustained human presence on the Moon, and that requires an entire transportation and infrastructure network From launching spacecraft with Falcon 9 to competing for lunar cargo deliveries and deploying communications infrastructure with Starship, SpaceX is positioning itself across all THREE critical areas And Starship is becoming an important part of NASA's plans for humanity's permanent presence beyond Earth

The near impossible is becoming possible. We are building toward a sustained human presence at the lunar South Pole. It begins with Phase 1: CLPS landers and LTV rovers testing the “science of survival” on the lunar surface before heavy HLS cargo landers deliver the mass and infrastructure needed for an enduring presence. We are building the Moon Base for all we will learn, the innovation that will improve life on Earth, the inspiration for the next generation of explorers, and to master the skills needed for where we will inevitably go next...Mars. The Golden Age of lunar exploration has begun.

Awesome day at @moreheadstate alongside @RepHalRogers and NASA astronaut Steve Bowen! We met with students and saw firsthand the university’s contributions to lunar exploration, from developing Lunar IceCube to supporting the Odysseus lunar lander through its 21-meter ground station. The talent and capabilities here in eastern Kentucky will help carry Artemis forward. We also had the honor of presenting Congressman Rogers with a Kentucky flag flown around the Moon aboard Artemis II, a reminder of what American ingenuity can achieve and the work still ahead of us. The future of American space exploration is being built across the country, and Kentucky has an important role to play.