NASA has selected three new scientific investigations to support the development of a lunar base near the Moon's South Pole. These projects will focus on analyzing local resources, identifying natural shelters, and evaluating environmental hazards to ensure astronaut safety.
The payloads were chosen through the Payloads and Research Investigations on the Surface of the Moon (PRISM) program. They will be delivered to the lunar surface via the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, which involves partnerships with American companies.
The research aims to provide critical data for long-term human presence on the Moon. These efforts are part of the broader Artemis and Moon Base programs, which serve as preparation for future crewed missions to Mars.
Key figures involved in the selection include Dr. Mehdi Benna from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and Dr. Ariel Deutsch from NASA’s Ames Research Center. The agency intends to increase the frequency of these lunar missions.
