Moon and Mars Exploration News

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Exploration History

Footprint on the Moon
This Month in Exploration

Visit every month to find out how aviation and space exploration have improved life for humans on Earth and in space.

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Moon and Mars Missions

Humans Return to the Moon

Constellation Program

NASA is returning to the moon to build a sustainable long term human presence. The Constellation Program is building the Ares rockets and Orion crew capsule.

› Exploration Section
› Constellation Section

Robotic Lunar Exploration

The Mission Objectives of the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) include confirming the presence or absence of water ice in a permanently shadowed crater at the Moon's South Pole.

A pair of missions will map the lunar surface and search for water at the south pole.

› Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter
› LCROSS Lunar Impactor

Mars Exploration

artist concept of Odyssey

Get the latest information on NASA spacecraft orbiting and roving the Red Planet.

› Mars Section

Latest Features

  • Ares I X awaiting liftoff from Launch Complex 39B

    Rock-n-Roll Launch Pad

    The Ares I-X vehicle uses only four bolts to stay steady on its slow roll out to the launch pad.

  • jsc2008-e-137643 -- Richard Scheuring

    Richard A. Scheuring, D.O.

    As a flight surgeon and the Constellation Lead for Medical Operations Integration, Dr. Rick Scheuring conducts medical research to enhance astronaut health and safety for the Constellation Program.

  • The forward Segment of DM-1 for NASA’s Ares I program, is moved into the test stand at ATK facility in Promontory, Utah.

    Ares I Five Segment Development Motor on the Move

    NASA moved the first segment of the Ares I development motor from ATK's facility to the nearby test stand.

  • Robert Howard, Jr.

    Robert Howard Jr., Ph.D.

    Robert Howard Jr., manager of the Habitability Design Center at Johnson Space Center, is aiming to help crews be comfortable and productive during NASA's missions back to the moon.

    › Read profile and view multimedia
  • Harrison Schmitt, Apollo 17 lunar module pilot, using an adjustable sampling scoop to retrieve lunar samples

    LRO to Help Astronauts Survive in Infinity

    On the moon we will develop technologies to survive in space, because the moon presents the same challenges we will encounter throughout the universe.

Latest News Releases

Media Resources

  • NASA Ames Celebrates Mars Twin Rovers' Many Accomplishments

    01.21.09 - The Mars Exploration Rovers (MER), Spirit and Opportunity, continue to provide NASA with valuable insight about the planet Mars. Although the rovers had a life expectancy of 90 days, they have continued science operations on the Red Planet for five years.

  • Google Lunar X Prize to Announce 'Mystery Team' at NASA Ames

    12.11.08 - MOFFETT FIELD, Calif., -- The X PRIZE Foundation will reveal the identities of a “Mystery Team” competing for the $30 million Google Lunar X PRIZE at NASA’s Ames Research Center on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008.

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