First‑Ever Advanced AI and HPC to Operate Directly on the Lunar Surface with HPE’s Spaceborne Computer‑4

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) is preparing to take artificial intelligence beyond Earth’s orbit and straight to the Moon. In late 2026, the company’s Spaceborne Computer-4 (SBC4) will be deployed on the lunar surface, marking the first time advanced AI and high‑performance computing will operate directly on the Moon. This mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program and represents a significant leap in how computing infrastructure will support future space exploration.

The SBC4 will travel aboard Astrolab’s Flex Lunar Innovation Platform (FLIP) rover, which itself will be delivered to the Moon’s south pole by Voyager Technologies’ Griffin‑1 lander, launched on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. The chosen landing site near the Nobile crater is strategically important, as it is believed to contain water ice deposits that could be vital for Sustaining long‑term lunar missions.

Unlike its predecessors that operated aboard the International Space Station, SBC4 is designed to withstand the Moon’s extreme conditions. It is a compact, fanless system equipped with a low‑power CPU and GPU, paired with dual mirrored Kioxia solid‑state drives for redundancy. This ruggedized design is critical, as the lunar environment exposes hardware to intense radiation, drastic temperature swings, and prolonged periods of darkness.

What makes this mission groundbreaking is the type of workloads SBC4 will run. It will process large language models (LLMs) for retrieval‑augmented generation, enabling astronauts and rovers to search and interpret technical documents without relying on Earth‑based servers. It will also handle vision inference for navigation, LiDAR mapping for terrain analysis, and autonomous decision‑making tasks. By running these AI workloads locally, the rover can operate with greater independence, reducing communication delays with Earth and paving the way for more autonomous lunar exploration.

The strategic importance of this mission cannot be overstated. It is the first step toward establishing computing infrastructure on the Moon, a foundation for future lunar bases and commercial activity. By demonstrating that high‑performance computing can survive and function in such a hostile environment, HPE and its partners are laying the groundwork for a sustainable lunar economy.

This effort also highlights the growing role of private companies in space exploration, with HPE, Astrolab, Deloitte, and NASA collaborating to push the boundaries of what is possible.

A near real-time, predictive cyber-analytics and anomaly detection will be provided by Deloitte's new system, to detect cyber intrusions called Silent Shield™.

Challenges remain. HPE has deliberately kept details of the silicon architecture under wraps, citing mission risks. Thermal management is another hurdle, as the rover’s radiators can only dissipate limited heat. Radiation exposure is harsher than in Earth orbit, meaning the resilience of AI systems will be tested like never before. Yet, if successful, SBC4 will prove that advanced computing can thrive in deep‑space environments, enabling faster scientific discoveries and more autonomous missions.

For India, which has already made strides with its Chandrayaan missions, this development underscores the global race to build lunar infrastructure. It signals a future where AI‑driven computing at the point of discovery will be central to space exploration, offering opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and leadership in the emerging lunar economy.

NASA & IBM Fuse 30 Data Layers into AI Moon Map, Unlocking Lunar Future

NASA is now using artificial intelligence to study the Moon in a whole new way. Working with IBM and top universities, they’ve built the NASA‑IBM Lunar Foundation Model — one of the first open‑source AI tools made just for lunar science. It’s trained on years of data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and is freely available online. Anyone can explore it on Hugging Face or test the full code on GitHub, opening lunar research to the world.

NASA and IBM have released an open-source Lunar Foundation Model that fuses over 30 data layers from four missions into one AI map, improving lunar mapping accuracy by up to 23% and enabling better detection of ice, craters, and volcanic features. This breakthrough is directly tied to planning future lunar bases near the Moon’s south pole.

The NASA‑IBM Lunar Foundation Model transforms decades of Moon data into a discovery engine, revealing patterns no single mission could uncover.

A 10-image mosaic captured by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter's Narrow Angle Camera between June 2012 and April 2016 showing the volcanic feature Mons Rümker and its surrounding mare plains. NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University

NASA’s AI ecosystem now spans Earth, Moon, and Sun: the Prithvi Model for geospatial Earth observation, the Lunar Foundation Model for Moon science, and the Surya Model for heliophysics. Together, they represent a “5+1” strategy to embed AI into every major science domain, enabling faster discoveries and operational applications.

Prithvi Model (Earth Observation)

• First orbital AI foundation model: Deployed aboard the ISS and South Australia’s Kanyini satellite in 2026.
• Training data: 13+ years of Harmonized Landsat & Sentinel‑2 imagery.
• Applications: Flood mapping, wildfire scar detection, crop yield prediction, land‑use monitoring.
• Strength: Performs analyses in orbit, reducing bandwidth needs by processing data before transmission.
• Open-source: Available on Hugging Face, enabling global researchers to fine‑tune for disaster response and environmental monitoring.

Lunar Foundation Model (Moon Science)

• Developed by NASA & IBM: Trained on 2M+ lunar image tiles from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.
• Capabilities:
  • Crater mapping for geological dating.
  • Ice prospectivity in permanently shadowed regions.
  • Volcanic feature detection (irregular mare patches).
  • Surface change detection (e.g., SpaceX rocket impact).
• Impact: Supports Artemis mission planning, safe landing site selection, and resource utilization for future lunar bases.

Surya Model (Heliophysics)

• Training data: 9 years of Solar Dynamics Observatory data.
• Architecture: Spatiotemporal transformer with spectral gating, designed for solar flare forecasting.
• Applications:
  • Forecasting solar flares up to 2 hours ahead.
  • Predicting solar wind speed and irradiance.
  • Tracking active regions and coronal mass ejections.
• Performance: Surpassed existing flare prediction benchmarks by 16%, offering early warnings for satellites, power grids, and aviation.
• Open-source: Hosted on Hugging Face with GitHub code, encouraging global collaboration.

Comparative Snapshot

Model	Domain	Training Data	Key Applications
Prithvi	Earth	Landsat + Sentinel‑2 (13 yrs)	Floods, crops, wildfires, land use
Lunar Foundation	Moon	LRO imagery (2M tiles)	Craters, ice, volcanic features
Surya	Sun	SDO (9 yrs, multi‑wavelength)	Solar flares, winds, irradiance

What the Model Does

• 30 data layers: Integrated from nine instruments across four missions, including the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and GRAIL.
• Multimodal AI system: Combines thermal, topographic, gravitational, and multispectral data into one unified map.
• Accuracy gains: Ice prospectivity 22% reduction in error; crater detection 19% higher accuracy at 100m resolution using half the training data; volcanic mapping 3% improvement.

Built mainly on data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, the model is freely available on Hugging Face, with its full codebase open on GitHub for anyone to test and experiment.

Why It Matters

• Lunar ice: Crucial for water, oxygen, and rocket fuel production. Permanently shadowed craters near the poles are prime targets.
• Safer landings: AI helps identify stable terrain for Artemis missions and future bases.
• Geological insights: Crater and volcanic mapping deepens understanding of the Moon’s history.
• Open-source availability: Released via Hugging Face and GitHub, enabling universities, startups, and smaller space agencies to build on it.

Key Comparisons

Feature	Improvement vs Baseline	Impact
Ice prospectivity	22% RMSE reduction	Better targeting of polar ice deposits
Crater detection	+19% accuracy, +19% mAP	Safer landing site selection
Volcanic mapping	+3% IoU	Improved geological history analysis
Training efficiency	Half the data needed	Accessible for smaller research teams

Challenges Ahead

• Domain shift: AI must adapt across different orbital sensors.
• Shadowed regions: Extremely cold, dark craters remain hard to study.
• Validation: Ground truth data from future missions is still needed.

Context for India

This development complements India’s Space Vision 2047, where AI-driven exploration is central to lunar resource utilization and base planning. It also parallels ISRO-backed projects like CraterMorpho, showing how global collaborations are converging on AI-powered planetary science.

NASA Invites ISRO to Join Historic Moon Base Mission

NASA has formally invited ISRO to join its ambitious Moon Base program under the Artemis Accords, marking a historic expansion of India–US space cooperation. The base will be built near the lunar South Pole, with India contributing scientific expertise, technology, and data-sharing initiatives.

The U.S. Embassy in India released a press statement on August 11, 2026, confirming that NASA formally invited ISRO to join the program under the Artemis Accords.

NASA’s Moon Base program is being developed under the Artemis Accords, which already include 27 signatory nations. Besides India’s ISRO, NASA has invited and partnered with agencies such as ESA (Europe), JAXA (Japan), CSA (Canada), and others to contribute technology, science, and crewed mission support.

The Artemis Accords are a U.S.-led international agreement launched in 2020 to set principles for peaceful, transparent, and sustainable space exploration. As of July 2026, 70 nations — including India — have signed on, making it the broadest coalition for lunar and deep‑space cooperation.

NASA Invites ISRO for Moon Base Program

What the Moon Base Program Means

• Artemis Accords: Framework for peaceful, sustainable lunar exploration signed by India in 2023.
• Location: Near the lunar South Pole, chosen for water-ice deposits and long sunlight exposure.
• Goal: Establish humanity’s first permanent outpost on another celestial body, supporting science, technology, and future Mars missions.
• Phases: NASA outlined a three-phase execution plan during its “Ignition” event in March 2026.

India–US Cooperation Highlights

• NISAR Mission: Joint Earth-observation satellite launched in 2025, monitoring ecosystems and climate.
• Civil Space Joint Working Group: Ninth meeting in Bengaluru (Aug 5–6, 2026) where NASA extended the invitation.
• TRUST Initiative: Strategic technology partnership aligning with Modi–Trump 2025 joint statement.
• Commitments: Both sides reaffirmed UN COPUOS guidelines for sustainable outer space activities.

ISRO’s Role & Capabilities

• Chandrayaan-3: Successful rover landing at the Moon’s South Pole in 2023.
• Chandrayaan-4: Planned for 2027, targeting lunar sample return.
• LUPEX Mission: Joint India–Japan polar exploration (2028–2029).
• Crewed Moon Landing: ISRO aims for a human mission by 2040.

The Mission's Importance

Aspect	Significance
Scientific Data Sharing	Enhances global research on lunar geology, water-ice, and solar wind.
Human Spaceflight	Builds on ISRO’s Gaganyaan program with US collaboration.
Diplomacy	Strengthens India’s role as a cost-effective, reliable space power.
Mars Preparation	Moon Base serves as a stepping stone for future Mars missions.

Challenges & Considerations

• Technology Transfer: Sensitive areas may face restrictions; India must negotiate access.
• Funding & Resources: Large-scale lunar infrastructure requires sustained investment.
• Geopolitical Competition: China’s lunar station plans by 2035 add urgency to India–US cooperation.
• Environmental Risks: Long-term sustainability of lunar activities under UN guidelines is critical.

ISRO, Deptt. of Atomic Energy Team Up to Build Longer‑Lasting Moon Lander

ISRO and the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) are tackling one of the toughest challenges in lunar exploration: surviving the Moon’s freezing nights.

During lunar nights, temperatures plunge below –100°C, which quickly disables electronics and batteries. Current landers like Chandrayaan‑3 only operate for about 14 Earth days — one lunar day — because they rely solely on solar power. Once the lander shuts down, no further experiments or communication are possible.

ISRO and DAE are jointly developing advanced heating systems to extend the lifespan of India’s future lunar landers from just 14 days (as in Chandrayaan‑3) to up to 200 days, enabling survival through multiple harsh lunar night cycles.

Key Details of the Collaboration

• Partners: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)
• Objective: Overcome the challenge of extreme lunar night temperatures (below –100°C)
• Technology Focus: Development of artificial heating systems powered by atomic energy expertise
• Expected Outcome: Future landers operational for 100–200 days, compared to Chandrayaan‑3’s 14‑day limit

Why This Matters

• Extended Science Operations: Longer mission durations mean more experiments and deeper lunar insights
• Strategic Advantage: Strengthens India’s position in global lunar exploration
• Human Exploration Support: Critical for future crewed missions and sustained lunar presence
• South Pole Exploration: Builds on Chandrayaan‑3’s historic landing near the Moon’s south pole

Comparison: Chandrayaan‑3 vs Future Lander Tech

Mission	Operational Lifespan	Power Source	Limitation	Future Tech Goal
Chandrayaan‑3 Vikram Lander	~14 Earth days	Solar panels	Failed after lunar night due to lack of sunlight	—
Next‑Gen ISRO Landers (ISRO‑DAE)	100–200 Earth days	Solar + artificial heaters	Designed to survive extreme cold	Multiple lunar cycles survival

Challenges Ahead

• Engineering Reliability: Artificial heaters must function consistently in vacuum and extreme cold
• Energy Management: Balancing power between heaters and scientific instruments
• Funding & Scale: Sustained investment needed to integrate atomic energy systems into space hardware
• Global Competition: China and the US are also advancing long‑duration lunar missions

Context for India

• Fits into India’s Space Vision 2047, which includes:
• A crewed Moon landing by 2040
• Deployment of an Indian space station by 2035
• Expansion into deep‑space missions and interplanetary exploration

In short, ISRO and DAE are solving the “lunar night survival problem” — the barrier that limits most landers to short lifespans. This also supports India’s Space Vision 2047 goals of a Moon landing by 2040 and a space station by 2035.

If successful, this would position India alongside the US and China in advanced lunar technology.

BIT Mesra Women’s Team Builds AI to Map Lunar Craters

A three-woman team at BIT Mesra in Ranchi — Dr. Sanchita Paul, Dr. Mili Ghosh, and Mimansa Sinha — has developed an ISRO-backed AI tool called CraterMorpho that can automatically detect and analyse lunar craters as small as 200 meters, revolutionizing lunar mapping and mission planning, reported regional news daily Jagran.com.

The Jagran article (May 17, 2026) reports that BIT Mesra researchers in Ranchi have developed an AI‑based technology to identify and analyse lunar craters using Chandrayaan‑2 data, aiming to support safer landings and geological studies.

Key Highlights

Photo of Chandrayaan taken with the help of a device developed by scientists of BIT Mesra. [Image - Jagran.com] 

• Team & Leadership: Led by Dr. Sanchita Paul with collaborators Dr. Mili Ghosh and Mimansa Sinha
• Institution: Birla Institute of Technology (BIT) Mesra, Ranchi
• Support: Funded and backed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
• Tool: CraterMorpho — AI system using Digital Elevation Models (DEM)
• Capabilities: Detects craters ≥ 200m, measures depth, roughness, morphology. 

Dr. Sanchita Pal, Dr. Mili Ghosh, Mimansa Sinha [Image - Jagran.com]

In the coming days, there are plans to develop this AI-based system as a fully automated real-time crater analysis pipeline, so that the technology can be fully utilized. Through this, the process of data collection can also be made easier.

Why It Matters

• Mission Safety: Identifies safer lunar landing sites
• Scientific Value: Supports crater dating and geological analysis
• Automation: Replaces manual crater identification
• Global Impact: Strengthens India’s role in AI planetary exploration

Technical Insights

Feature	Details
Data Source	Satellite-derived Digital Elevation Models (DEM)
AI Method	Deep learning neural networks adapted for elevation data
Detection Scale	Craters ≥ 200m diameter
Outputs	Depth, roughness, morphology
Validation	Tested on Aristarchus Plateau, peer-reviewed publications

Challenges Ahead

• Domain Shift: Adapting AI models across orbital sensors
• Extreme Terrain: Handling shadowed regions and overlaps
• Verification: Requires ground truth data from future missions

Context for India

This breakthrough aligns with India’s Space Vision 2047, where AI-driven exploration will play a central role in Moon landings, resource utilization, and habitat planning.

Moon’s Hidden Ice Revealed: Chandrayaan‑2 Uncovers Subsurface Water at Lunar South Pole

Representative Image

ISRO’s Chandrayaan‑2 orbiter has provided strong evidence of buried water‑ice beneath the Moon’s south polar craters, especially inside the 1.1 km‑wide Faustini crater, using advanced radar scans. This breakthrough could be crucial for future lunar missions, resource utilization, and even human habitation.

The Dual Frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar (DFSAR) on the Chandrayaan‑2 orbiter is a special radar camera that uses microwave signals to study the Moon. It works in two frequency ranges called L‑band and S‑band and is the first radar of its kind to give a complete picture of the Moon’s surface.

Scientists used it to study “doubly shadowed craters” — deep holes inside areas that never get sunlight. Because these places stay extremely cold (around ‑248°C), they can hold water‑ice for billions of years, making them important for future space missions.

Key Findings

India’s lunar exploration programme has achieved another significant scientific breakthrough, with scientists analysing Chandrayaan-2 data finding strong evidence of subsurface water-ice beneath craters near the Moon’s South Pole.

The discovery, made using the Dual Frequency… pic.twitter.com/jJ2OwNl9is

— PB-SHABD (@PBSHABD) May 29, 2026

• Instrument Used: Dual Frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar (DFSAR), the first fully polarimetric radar system to study the Moon.
• Location: Permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) near the south pole, where temperatures drop to ~25K (‑248°C).
• Evidence: Radar polarimetric analysis showed Circular Polarization Ratio (CPR > 1) and Degree of Polarization (DOP < 0.13) — signatures consistent with subsurface ice.
• Strongest Signal: A 1.1 km crater inside Faustini displayed lobate‑rim morphology, suggesting an impact penetrated subsurface ice.

Why It Matters

• Future Missions: Buried ice could supply drinking water, oxygen, and rocket fuel, reducing dependence on Earth launches.
• Global Space Race: The Moon’s south pole is already a prime target for NASA’s Artemis program and other international missions.
• India’s Role: This discovery strengthens ISRO’s position as a key player in global lunar exploration, complementing Chandrayaan‑3’s success and India’s Space Vision 2047 roadmap.

Technical Insights

Feature	Details
DFSAR Radar	Operates in L‑ and S‑bands, penetrates up to 2 meters below surface.
Target Regions	“Doubly shadowed craters” — craters inside larger PSRs, never exposed to sunlight.
Temperature	~25K (‑248°C), ideal for preserving ice for billions of years.
Detection Method	CPR & DOP values distinguish ice from rocky terrain.

Challenges Ahead

• Extreme Cold: Equipment must withstand temperatures near absolute zero.
• Accessibility: Ice is buried beneath crater floors, not easily scoopable.
• Verification: Future missions must confirm deposits with direct sampling.

📸 Visual Context

Blood Moon 2025: Science, Spectacle & Spiritual Shifts

On the night of September 7–8, 2025, the skies over India and much of the Eastern Hemisphere were set ablaze by one of the most mesmerizing celestial events of the year—a Blood Moon, also known as a total lunar eclipse. For 82 minutes, the Moon bathed in a deep crimson glow, captivating skywatchers and stirring ancient myths and modern reflections alike.

The Science Behind the Scarlet Glow

• Earth aligns perfectly between the Sun and Moon, casting its shadow across the lunar surface.
• Sunlight filters through Earth’s atmosphere, scattering shorter blue wavelengths and allowing longer red wavelengths to bend toward the Moon.
• The result: a coppery-red Moon, visible to the naked eye and safe to observe without any special equipment.

This year’s eclipse was especially notable because:

• It lasted 82 minutes, making it one of the longest total lunar eclipses since 2022.
• It was visible across India, Asia, Africa, Europe, and Australia, reaching nearly 85% of the global population.
• The Moon was near apogee (its farthest point from Earth), which slowed its transit and extended the eclipse duration.

Cultural Echoes & Ancient Lore

• In Incan mythology, a jaguar was believed to devour the Moon.
• In Hindu tradition, the demon Rahu swallows the Moon, causing eclipses.
• Ancient Greeks saw the Moon goddess Selene veiled in darkness, prompting rituals to ward off ill omens.

Today, while science explains the phenomenon, the spiritual symbolism remains potent.

Astrological Insights: Pisces & Aquarius Energy Collide

This year’s Blood Moon occurred at 15° Pisces, opposing the Sun in Virgo—a cosmic tug-of-war between dreams and practicality. Astrologers interpret this eclipse as a powerful emotional reset, urging us to:

• Release illusions and outdated beliefs.
• Heal emotional wounds and embrace transformation.
• Step into new chapters with clarity and courage.

Zodiac Highlights

Zodiac Sign	Astrological Impact
Aries	Let go of impulsiveness; embrace patience and long-term vision.
Leo	Relationships mirror your ego—seek balance and humility.
Pisces	Expect deep emotional revelations and spiritual growth.
Virgo	Your routines may shift—prioritize health and inner harmony.

How to Experience It

• No gear needed—just clear skies and curiosity.
• Best viewed from rooftops, open fields, or hilltops.
• Binoculars enhance the view, revealing lunar textures and color gradients.

Whether you're a scientist, a stargazer, or a seeker of cosmic meaning, the Blood Moon of 2025 offered more than just a visual treat, it was a moment to pause, reflect, and realign. As the Moon glowed red, it reminded us that even in shadow, there is beauty, mystery, and transformation.

Texas-based Firefly Aerospace Now the 2nd Pvt Company Ever to Achieve a Soft-Landing on the Moon

Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lunar lander successfully touched down on the moon, making it only the second private-sector company to achieve this feat.

The Blue Ghost lander, which carried 10 scientific payloads, landed near an ancient volcanic vent on Mare Crisium. This mission is part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, which aims to support lunar exploration and research.

The Blue Ghost mission is part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program.

Firefly's success marks a significant milestone in the modern moon race, with private companies playing an increasingly important role in lunar missions. The lander will conduct various scientific experiments and capture high-definition imagery during its 14-day mission on the moon.

The first private company to achieve a soft lunar landing was Intuitive Machines. Their Odysseus lander successfully touched down on the moon in February 2024. However, the landing was not without its challenges, as the lander came down too fast and tipped over on impact, which affected its ability to generate enough solar power.

Blue Ghost Mission 1 - Lunar Lander Fully Assembled (Image - Firefly Aerospace/Flickr 

Firefly Aerospace's recent success with the Blue Ghost lander marks the second private-sector company to achieve this feat.

Blue Ghost will now begin its surface operations and support several NASA science and technology demonstrations over the next 14 days – equivalent to a full lunar day.

On March 14, Firefly expects to capture high-definition imagery of a total eclipse when the Earth blocks the sun above the Moon’s horizon.

On March 16, Blue Ghost will then capture the lunar sunset, providing data on how lunar dust levitates due to solar influences and creates a lunar horizon glow first documented by Eugene Cernan on Apollo 17. Following the sunset, Blue Ghost will operate several hours into the lunar night and continue to capture imagery that observes how levitating dust behavior changes after the sunset.

In its 45-day journey to the Moon, Blue Ghost traveled more than 2.8 million miles, downlinked more than 27 GB of data, and supported several payload science operations. This included signal tracking from the Global Navigation Satellite System at a record-breaking distance with the LuGRE payload, radiation tolerant computing through the Van Allen Belts with the RadPC payload, and measurements of magnetic field changes with the LMS payload.

Firefly will continue to provide regular updates on the Blue Ghost Mission 1 webpage through the completion of the mission. NASA’s Artemis blog will share additional details on payload operations. 

Headquartered in Cedar Park, Texas, Firefly is working on several upcoming missions, including additional lunar missions with the Blue Ghost lander and on-orbit missions with their Elytra vehicle.

Founded in March 2017 by Tom Markusic, Firefly focuses on developing small- and medium-lift launch vehicles for commercial space missions. The space technology company has secured multiple contracts with NASA and other organizations. For example, they were awarded a $179 million NASA contract for a moon delivery to the Gruithuisen Domes.

Firefly's main products include the Alpha (small-lift launch vehicle), MLV (medium-lift launch vehicle), Blue Ghost (lunar lander), and Elytra (space tug).

ISRO's Plan to Assemble Chandrayan–4 in Space and Bring Moondust Home

ISRO's Chandrayaan-4 mission is an ambitious and innovative project by the Indian space agency. Chandrayaan-4 is a planned lunar sample return mission, expected to launch around 2027. It will be the fourth mission in ISRO’s Chandrayaan series.

The mission will utilize two rockets to carry different modules into space. This includes the Ascender, Descender, Propulsion, Transfer, and Re-entry modules.

Unlike previous missions, Chandrayaan-4 will be assembled in space. The modules will be assembled in space, demonstrating advanced docking and robotic capabilities. After assembly, the spacecraft will proceed with its mission objectives, including traveling to the Moon, landing, collecting samples, and returning to Earth.

Stacks in Chandrayaan-4, which comprises the Ascender and Descender Modules

Stacks in Chandrayaan-4, which comprises the Transfer, Re-entry and Propulsion Modules

To achieve this, the process involves launching the mission in two parts and then performing a complex docking maneuver in Earth's orbit to integrate the modules into a single spacecraft.

Once the spacecraft reaches the Moon, the Descender module will perform a controlled soft landing. A robotic arm will then collect 2 to 3 kg of lunar soil a.k.a Moondust and subsurface material. The collected Moondust will be stored in the Ascender module, which will lift off from the Moon and dock with the Transfer and Re-entry modules for the journey back to Earth.

This mission not only aims to bring back lunar samples but also demonstrates advanced space technologies, setting a significant milestone for India's space exploration efforts.

Chandrayaan-4 aims to study the composition and mineralogy of the lunar surface, probe the subsurface for water ice and other volatiles, and analyze the returned samples for insights into the Moon’s geology and history.

This mission not only aims to enhance our understanding of the Moon but also showcases India’s growing capabilities in space exploration.

Several notable space missions have utilized in-space assembly techniques to achieve their objectives. International Space Station (ISS) is one of the most prominent examples of in-space assembly. It was constructed over multiple missions, with various modules and components launched separately and assembled in orbit by astronauts and robotic systems.

Besides, part of NASA’s Artemis program, the Lunar Gateway will be a space station orbiting the Moon. It will be assembled in space from multiple modules launched separately, providing a staging point for lunar exploration.

NASA’s In-Space Assembled Telescope (iSAT) project involves assembling a large aperture telescope in space, which will provide unprecedented spatial resolution and spectral coverage for astrophysics, planetary, and Earth science.

India’s Chandrayaan-4 mission, planned for lunar sample return from the Southern polar region is of utmost significance. This is more so after India’s systematic exploration of the Moon through orbiter, lander and rover. Lunar surface exploration missions followed by sample return will be the next major step in lunar exploration for India, and will result in important contributions in understanding the Earth-Moon system.

The total cost of the mission is estimated at 2104.06 Crore Indian Rupees, covering spacecraft development, two LVM3 launches, International network support, and various tests. Chandrayaan-4 will pave the way for India's future manned missions, lunar sample return, and scientific analysis.

India, Russia and China Plan to Develop Nuclear Power Plant on the Moon

India, Russia and China are planning to collaborate on developing a nuclear power plant on the Moon. This ambitious project is led by Russia's state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, and aims to establish a small nuclear reactor capable of generating up to half a megawatt of energy.

The nuclear power plant is intended to support future lunar base operations, providing a reliable energy source essential for sustaining long-term human presence and scientific research on the Moon.

This ground-breaking project, capable of generating half a megawatt of energy and expected to be operational by 2035, will see an initial step of installing a small reactor for essential power.

The plan positions the Global South at the forefront of lunar colonisation efforts. India's involvement aligns seamlessly with its ambitious plans for a manned lunar mission by 2040, potentially accelerating this timeline. The collaboration transcends terrestrial geopolitics, showcasing the Global South's growing influence in space technology and diplomacy.

Using nuclear power on the Moon offers several significant advantages. Unlike solar power, which is dependent on sunlight and affected by the lunar night (lasting about 14 Earth days), nuclear power can provide a continuous and stable energy supply.

Moreover, nuclear reactors have a high energy density, meaning they can produce a large amount of energy from a relatively small amount of fuel. This is crucial for supporting long-term missions and operations on the Moon.

Transporting a nuclear reactor to the Moon is a complex and multi-step process. Typically, the reactor will be designed to be compact and lightweight, ensuring it can be safely transported by a spacecraft. Once in lunar orbit, a specialized lunar lander will transport the reactor from the spacecraft to the Moon’s surface. This lander will need to be capable of safely landing the reactor in the designated area.

After landing, the reactor will be deployed and assembled on the lunar surface. This might involve robotic systems or astronauts, depending on the mission’s specifics.

India's involvement aligns with its plans for a manned lunar mission by 2040. This collaboration underscores the importance of International cooperation in space exploration and the development of sustainable energy solutions for extraterrestrial environments.

This collaboration between India, Russia, and China will likely leverage their combined expertise in space technology and nuclear engineering to achieve this ambitious goal.

Next-Gen Spacesuits to Allow Astronauts Communicate via Voice and Video

Soon, Astronauts will be able to communicate more effectively with mission control and other crew members on the lunar surface. This real-time communication can improve safety, coordination, and decision-making during missions.

Artemis III, the first crewed NASA mission to set foot on the Moon in more than 50 years, will be a historic mission, returning astronauts to the Moon for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972.

Axiom Space has partnered with Nokia to integrate advanced 4G/LTE communication capabilities into the next-generation spacesuits for the Artemis III lunar mission.

These spacesuits, known as the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU), will support HD video, telemetry data, and voice transmission over multiple kilometers on the Moon. This advancement will allow Artemis III crewmembers to capture real-time video and communicate with mission controllers on Earth while exploring the lunar surface.

Image credit: Axiom Space

Texas, US-headquartered privately funded space infrastructure developer, Axiom Space, has selected Nokia’s Lunar Surface Communications System (LSCS) for integration into its AxEMU spacesuits, which Artemis III astronauts will wear as they work on the lunar surface.

In its collaboration with Axiom Space on the Artemis III lunar spacesuit, Nokia intends to prove that the same cellular technologies that connect billions of devices on Earth can meet the critical communications needs of these seminal missions.

Together, Nokia and Axiom Space will incorporate high-speed cellular-network capabilities in AxEMU, supporting HD video, telemetry data and voice transmission over multiple kilometers on the Moon. This advancement will enable Artemis III crewmembers to capture real-time video and communicate with mission controllers on Earth while they explore the lunar surface.

The ability to transmit HD video and telemetry data over longer distances will facilitate scientific research, exploration, and documentation. Astronauts can share their experiences and findings with experts back on Earth.

Noki plans to deploy the first cellular network on the Moon as part of Intuitive Machines’ IM-2 mission, which is scheduled to be delivered to the launch site in this year only.

The Lunar Surface Communications System (LSCS)

Nokia’s Lunar Surface Communications System (LSCS), pioneered by Nokia Bell Labs’ research and innovation, will be deployed during IM-2 and will be further adapted for use in the AxEMU spacesuit.

While it is a 4G/LTE system at its heart, it is quite different to any cellular network on Earth.

4G/LTE Space Hardware

Nokia Bell Labs completely reconceptualized the hardware and software design of a 4G/LTE network, we experience on the Earth, to prepare the system for the unique operating parameters of a lunar mission and the harsh conditions of the Moon’s surface.

The LCS has been carefully engineered to withstand the extreme environmental conditions on the lunar surface, including radiation, extreme temperature variations and the Moon’s complete lack of atmosphere.

Finally, the equipment is designed to withstand the dynamic stresses of launch, spaceflight and lunar landing, as well as to meet Artemis III’s rigorous weight, size and power limitations.

Notably, the LSCS is the result of nearly two decades of research and innovation into automation, optimization, miniaturization and hardware and software integration. Nokia Bell Labs completely reconceptualized the hardware and software design of a terrestrial 4G/LTE network to prepare the system for the unique operating parameters of a lunar mission and the harsh conditions of the Moon’s surface.

The LSCS has two main components. First, a network-in-a-box combines the radio, base station, routing, security and core elements of a terrestrial network into a single highly resilient unit that will be integrated into the HLS. Second, device modules will be integrated into Axiom Space’s AxEMU spacesuits, providing mobile voice and broadband connectivity up to two kilometers away from the Artemis III human landing system (HLS).

The LSCS network system software is highly integrated and optimized, creating an extremely compact system that is fully autonomous and capable of self-deploying, self-configuring and self-healing.

As lunar missions become more frequent, this collaboration between Axiom Space and Nokia sets a precedent for developing lunar communication infrastructure. Future missions may build upon this technology or explore even more advanced communication systems.

China's Chang'e-6 Spacecraft Landed on Far Side of the Moon, Collects Samples

China has achieved a significant milestone in space exploration. The Chang'e 6 mission successfully landed on the far side of the moon on June 2, 2024. This historic mission is part of China's lunar exploration program and marks the second time China has landed a spacecraft on the moon's far side. The mission aims to collect rock and soil samples from the dark lunar hemisphere, which could provide valuable insights into the geological differences between the moon's far side and the more familiar near side.

The Chang'e 6 probe touched down inside the Apollo Crater, within the giant South Pole-Aitken basin. The mission is notable for being the first to attempt to return samples from the moon's far side to Earth. The successful landing elevates China's status as a major player in the global space race and brings it a step closer to its goal of sending humans to the moon.

This mission involves many engineering innovations and presents high risks and great difficulty due to the challenges of landing and communicating from the moon's far side. The far side of the moon always faces away from Earth, requiring special relay orbiters to maintain communication, which China had launched ahead of both Chang'e 4 and Chang'e 6 missions.

The Chang'e-6 mission, China's historic endeavor to collect samples from the far side of the moon, has several important scientific goals:

The mission aims to conduct on-site investigation and analysis of the landing area on the far side of the moon. By examining the geological setting and detailed context of the sampling site, scientists hope to gain insights into the unique features and composition of this previously unexplored lunar region.

Chang'e-6 will collect unique lunar samples from the far side. These samples include both surface regolith and subsurface material. The spacecraft will use a scoop to grab soil and rocks, as well as a drill to retrieve deeper samples. These samples are expected to provide crucial data about the moon's geological mysteries and its early history.

The far side of the moon differs significantly from its near side. Most ancient volcanic activity occurred on the near side, while the far side remained quieter under a thick, heavily cratered crust. By analyzing samples from the far side, scientists hope to unravel the reasons for this asymmetry and gain a deeper understanding of lunar geology and evolution.

Comprehensive laboratory analysis and characterization of the returned samples will help establish a relationship between in situ measurements (taken directly on the moon) and laboratory data. This ground truth information will enhance our understanding of lunar processes and the formation of the moon.

Overall, Chang'e-6's successful mission could provide a treasure trove of scientific insights and contribute to humanity's knowledge of our celestial neighbor.

Houses for Civilians on the Moon by 2040

NASA’s Moon to Mars Autonomous Construction Technologies project to advance space-based construction capabilities for long-duration exploration missions on the Moon or Mars. [Image– ICON] 

NASA is set to launch a new space mission to inhabitate the moon with humans and that include building houses on the lunar surface. These houses would not just for astronauts but also for civilians. By 2040, NASA aims to establish the first subdivision in space on the moon, with the potential for future habitation on Mars as well, according to a report in the New York Times that interviewed several NASA scientists about the work already underway.

To achieve its goal of building houses on the moon, NASA plans to utilize a 3-D printer that will create structures using lunar concrete, derived from the moon's surface material. While some in the scientific community find NASA's timeline ambitious, the agency remains committed to its benchmarks and partnerships with universities and private companies to make lunar habitation a reality.

In 2020, the US Air Force awarded contract to a Texas-based startup called ICON, for 3D printing of livable and workable structures. Prior to this, in last year, NASA, under its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, awarded contract worth $57.2 million to ICON, a space construction technology startup with specialisation in large-scale 3D printing. 

With this, NASA is supporting ICON in developing construction technology that could be used on the Moon and Mars for last 2 years.

The nearly $60 million contract builds upon previous NASA and the United States' Department of Defense funding for ICON’s Project Olympus to research and develop space-based construction systems to support planned exploration of the Moon and beyond.

ICON’s Olympus system is intended to be a multi-purpose construction system primarily using local Lunar and Martian resources as building materials to further the efforts of NASA as well as commercial organizations to establish a sustained lunar presence.

Moreover, ICON has even 3D printed a 1,700-square-foot simulated Martian habitat, called Mars Dune Alpha, that will be used during NASA’s Crew Health and Performance Analog, or CHAPEA, analog mission started this year only. 

Besides the houses, NASA is also working with universities and private companies on other household items, ranging from doors to tiles to furniture, that can sustain on lunar surface and the atmosphere. 

India Launching Chandrayaan-4 with Japan by 2026

ISRO has just created history by becoming the first & only country to reach the South Pole of the Moon.

Now in a next lunar mission, ISRO in collaboration with Japenese space agency, Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), is planning a Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) mission, also known as Chandrayaan-4, slated for launch in the 2025/2026 timeframe. The aim of this mission is to obtain knowledge of lunar water resources and to explore the suitability of the lunar polar region for the establishment of a lunar base.

India would develop the lander while Japan will build the rover. LUPEX is likely to be launched by Japan’s H3 launch vehicle. 

In the past few years, satellites, telescopes and various cameras around the moon have provided positive indications of water. In 2008, the first of Chandrayaan Series, Chandrayaan-1 has many achievements and one of the discovery was "widespread presence of water molecules in lunar soil".

Lupex will put an end to this much-discussed speculation – "if there's water on Moon or not?". The trajectory of the lunar mission may change in the coming days. However, details about this operation are not known yet.

Lupex or 'Chandrayaan-4' is also expected to improve mutual relations between India and Japan. The campaign could be launched by 2026

Meanwhile, today an another lunar mission called "XRISM"— led by JAXA in collaboration with NASA and with contributions from ESA (European Space Agency) — is scheduled to launch on an H-IIA rocket from Japan’s Tanegashima Space Center at 8:26 p.m. EDT i.e on Sunday, Aug. 27 (9:26 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 28, in Japan).

ISRO and Austria-based Moon Village Association Collborate for the Outreach of the Chandrayaan-3 Mission

India's space agency, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and Vienna, Austria based Moon Village Association (MVA), are announced that the two will host global outreach activities in connection with the proposed Chandrayaan-3 launch by Indian Space Research Organisation.

The Moon Village Association (MVA) is an international non-governmental organisation (NGO), founded in 2017. Its goal is the creation of a permanent global informal forum for stakeholders like governments, industry, academia and the general public interested in the development of the Moon Village.

The common goal of these activities is to increase the impact of the ISRO lunar programme on a global scale and foster further international cooperation. The two organisations are cooperating to focus on the global aspect of lunar exploration and identify, communicate, and encourage the youth to focus on the mutual benefits that the entire world gets at every lunar mission.

The topics proposed for possible cooperation are the following:

1. Global Video Competition:A global video competition wishing the Chandrayaan-3 mission a great ride and a successful landing on the Moon by discussing the importance of the Chandrayaan-3 Mission for India and the Global Moon Exploration and Settlement.
Apply here - https://moonvillageassociation.org/chandrayaan-3-video-competition/

2. Webinars to brief the global audience about the mission; the challenges and the benefits.

Giuseppe Reibaldi, President of the Moon Village Association, stated that “This joint activity with ISRO is an important collaboration that demonstrates the relevance of MVA as a platform to multiply national lunar program outreach efforts. With MVA hoping to grow and support developing countries, established and emerging space countries, and many more, we look forward to working with ISRO on this outreach effort.”

Sudheer Kumar N, Director, Capacity Building and Public Outreach, ISRO Headquarters, stated that “The Chandrayaan-3 mission is going to be an important milestone in the Indian Space programme, which is aimed to demonstrate the critical technologies to land the spacecraft on the south pole of the moon. The mission encompasses critical technologies that should reach the global youth to encourage the scientific temperament on lunar missions.”

Giuseppe Reibaldi, President of the Moon Village Association, stated that “This joint activity with ISRO is an important collaboration that demonstrates the relevance of MVA as a platform to multiply national lunar program outreach efforts. With MVA hoping to grow and support developing countries, established and emerging space countries, and many more, we look forward to working with ISRO on this outreach effort.”

Sudheer Kumar N, Director, Capacity Building and Public Outreach, ISRO Headquarters, stated that “The Chandrayaan-3 mission is going to be an important milestone in the Indian Space programme, which is aimed to demonstrate the critical technologies to land the spacecraft on the south pole of the moon. The mission encompasses critical technologies that should reach the global youth to encourage the scientific temperament on lunar missions.”

The MVA fosters cooperation for existing or planned Moon exploration programs, whether public or private.

The MVA comprises more than 600 participants in MVA activities and 27 institutional members from more than 60 countries, representing a diverse array of technical, scientific, cultural, and interdisciplinary fields.

The MVA partners with non-space organisations to promote international discussions and formulation of plans to foster the development of the Moon Village, and is creating international, national and regional networks to engage civil society around the world. The Moon Village Association’s mission is unique, bridging together both spacefaring and non-spacefaring nations offering them the opportunity to play a role in its realisation. There is no other organisation on the international scene having such a mission.

India's 3rd Lunar Mission 'Chandrayaan-3' Scheduled for Launch in August This Year

Representational Image

India's third lunar exploration mission 'Chandrayaan-3' by its space agency, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is scheduled for launch in August this year.

This information was given by Dr Jitendra Singh, who is the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology and also the minister of Atomic Energy and Space. 

He said that based on the learnings from Chandrayaan-2 and suggestions made by the national level experts, the realization of Chandrayaan-3 is in progress. Many related hardware and their special tests are successfully completed and the Launch is scheduled for August 2022.

Prior to this, Chandrayaan-2 was attempted by ISRO in July 2019, when a last-minute software glitch led to the failure of the India's second lunar mission. Chandrayaan-2's Vikram Lander crash-landed on the moon's surface after its guidance software malfunctioned, according to an internal report presented to the Space Commission.

The Minister also informed that the number of missions planned in this year  (Jan-Dec 2022) are 19, which consist -- 8 Launch Vehicle Missions, 7 Spacecraft Missions and 4 Technology Demonstrator Missions.

The lander for Chandrayaan-3 will have only four throttle-able engines unlike Vikram on Chandrayaan-2 which had five 800 Newtons engines with a fifth one being centrally mounted with a fixed thrust. 

Additionally, the Chandrayaan-3 lander will be equipped with a Laser Doppler Velocimeter. 

The LDV sensor was developed for Chandrayaan-2 too, however since it did not perform well in ground-tests, it was not included in that mission. 

LDV sensors will be useful as they will help directly measure the velocity from the height of about 20km, sources added and reports suggested that Bengaluru-based LEOS (Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems) lab, a unit of ISRO, has developed the sensor. LEOS is situated at Peenya Industrial Estate, Bengaluru where first Indian satellite was fabricated in 1975.

The estimated cost of Chandrayaan-3 project is reportedly more than Rs.600 Crores.

India's next lunar mission will be the Lunar Polar Exploration Mission, which suggested to be launched in 2024 and for this India is collaborating with Japan however the mission details is not yet defined. 

According to Japan's space agency JAXA, it is working with ISRO to plan an international collaborative mission to obtain the data on the quantity and forms of the water resources present on the Moon.

In A First of Earth's Lifetime, A Space Junk May Collide with the Moon at 9,288 Km/Hour Speed

Representational Image (credits - Pixabay)

An old space junk, which is of Elon Musk promoted company SpaceX's rocket that was launched nearly 7-years ago, will now crash into the moon, predicts astronomers.

Launched in February 2015, SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket ran out of fuel and now the 4.4-ton (4 metric tons) rocket has been moving around fast in the space, in a chaotic orbit. It was supposed to be the part of a mission to send a climate observation satellite 930,000 miles (1.5 million kilometers) from Earth.

On January 5, 2022, Falcon 9 rocket's debris made a close flyby of the moon.

This all was predicted by Bill Gray, a developer of software that tracks near-Earth objects. In a blog post, he stated, "The rocket's upper stage is now expected to hit the far side of the moon while traveling at a blistering speed of 5,771 mph (9,288 km/h) on March 4, 2022."

"There are still several bits of junk we're tracking that may eventually hit the earth or moon or be ejected into orbit around the sun.", Bill says in his blog post.

Further, the data from observers helped scientists pinpoint its orbit of Falcon 9 rocket, discovering it would hit the Hertzsprung crater on the moon’s far side on March 4 at approximately 12:25 UTC. 

The effects of the collision impact will be minimal, aside from a new, albeit small, crater on the moon.

Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist at Harvard University, also confirmed that Falcon 9 space debris will hit the Moon. In a tweet, he said, "yes, an old Falcon 9 second stage left in high orbit in 2015 is going to hit the moon on March 4. It's interesting, but not a big deal."

Though, SpaceX may not be held responsible for this collision as it's apparently unintentional. In the past there are few space probes which have been deliberately destroyed at their objects of study, like the moon or other planets, typically by hard landings or crash landings at the end of their respective missions and/or functionality.

For an instance, several rocket stages utilized during the Apollo space program were deliberately crashed on the Moon to aid seismic research, and four of the ascent stages of Apollo Lunar Modules were deliberately crashed onto the Moon after they had fulfilled their primary mission.  

The moon saw intentional crashing of space probes objects, into its surface, for more than 15 times. 

It is to be noted that sometimes, the components of space probes intentionally crashed in order to prevent the hazards of orbital space junk/debris and planetary contamination.

But, Falcon 9 is a first "space junk", wandering in the space with no control from the earth, will crash into the moon. In other words, this is the first known unintentional impact of space junk with the moon.

Besides the moon, the Mercury too has saw intentional crashing when MESSENGER, a NASA robotic space probe that orbited the planet Mercury between 2011 and 2015, for studying Mercury's chemical composition, geology, and magnetic field, intentionally crashed into Mercury on April 30, 2015, in order to end the mission.

Latest Scientific Study Says That The Moon Powerfully Influence Human Sleep

Sleep varied to a greater extent across the lunar cycle in men

Sleep disorder collectively refers to conditions that affect sleep quality, timing, or duration and impact a person's ability to properly function while they are awake. In an odd-thing scientifically, the Moon, including its cycles, have long been examined for the investigation of their effect on human sleep, although the outcomes of such analyses have been rather inconsistent.

Now in a latest. a new study which is among the largest of its kind, researchers have investigate the moon & its cycles (cycles from the Full Moon to the New Moon ) and their potential impact on human sleep. The research confirms that lunar cycles do have a significant and detectable influence on human sleep however not everybody is affected in the same way.

The researchers concluded that the lunar cycle may affect sleep in humans, with more pronounced sleep alterations in men than women.

In this research paper, a team of scientists monitored the sleep of over 850 people in Uppsala, Sweden's 4th largest city, using polysomnography measurements (a test used to diagnose sleep disorders) to ascertain their sleep onset, duration, and quality for a single night. These one-night measurements were recorded in individuals over several years (November 2001 to February 2004), across both men and women.

Image Credit ~ NASA

For each investigated study night date, data was retrieved on the moon's fullness for Uppsala location from www.timeanddate.com (May 2021). Researchers then assigned days of sleep recordings to two lunar phases: waxing phase, i.e., between the first day after new moon until the day of full moon (i.e., ~100% of the moon's face is illuminated by the sun); and waning phase, i.e., the first day after full moon until the day of new moon (i.e., moon is between earth and sun).

The thinking goes that the increasing brightness of the waxing Moon – reaching an optical crescendo on the night of the full Moon – should affect human sleep detrimentally overall, given people generally tend to sleep better with more darkness.

With this study, Researchers then found -

• Moon's effects much more pronounced in men.
• Women in the study slept on average almost 12 minutes less on nights during the waxing period, compared to waning nights.
• Men slept over 20 minutes less on the waxing nights
• Men have 3.4% lower sleep efficiency, more wakefulness, and larger disruptions to the lengths of sleep stages during waxing nights.
• No correlation between age and lunar phase for any of the sleep parameters.

A waxing moon is a moon that gets more sunlight on it as the days go by. It is after we experience a new moon up to a full moon. A waning moon is after the full moon and will remain waning until we again experience a new moon.

Christian Benedict, a neuroscientist and first author of the study, from Uppsala University, said -

We used one-night at-home sleep recordings from 492 women and 360 men. We found that men whose sleep was recorded during nights in the waxing period of the lunar cycle exhibited lower sleep efficiency and increased time awake after sleep onset compared to men whose sleep was measured during nights in the waning period. In contrast, the sleep of women remained largely unaffected by the lunar cycle. Our results were robust to adjustment for chronic sleep problems and obstructive sleep apnea severity

Space Tourism: Jeff Bezos To Send Civilians To Space, Offering A Seat In Online Auction

Amazon Inc founder Jeff Bezos-founded aerospace manufacturing and sub-orbital spaceflight services company, Blue Origin LLC, has announced that it would start selling tickets for suborbital flights to the edge of space. 

The first flight of "New Shepard" rocket is scheduled for July 20, and Blue Origin is auctioning off one single ticket to the highest bidder. Named after astronaut Alan Shepard, the second man and first American to go to space, New Shepard is Blue Origin’s reusable suborbital rocket system designed to take astronauts and research payloads into space.

The rocket is designed to carry up to six tourists per flight.

The online auction will be held in three parts -- The first phase, from May 5 to May 19, allows people to bid any amount on the website. After May 19, the bids will be unsealed, and on June 12, Blue Origin will hold a live auction to determine the winner.

On July 20th, #NewShepard will fly its first astronaut crew to space. We are offering one seat on this first flight to the winning bidder of an online auction. Anyone can place an opening bid by going to https://t.co/6DpTdTxo36. #GradatimFerociter pic.twitter.com/jBMFYX7xHg

— Blue Origin (@blueorigin) May 5, 2021

The winning bid amount will be donated to Blue Origin’s foundation, Club for the Future, to inspire future generations to pursue careers in STEM and help invent the future of life in space.

It is to be noted that whoever places the winning bid won’t be the first tourist in space as Dennis Tito, a wealthy American businessman, became history's first space tourist. He reportedly paid $20 million for a seat on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft to be the first tourist to visit the International Space Station (ISS).