NASA Selects Three New Payloads to Unlock Moon's Thermal and Radiation Secrets

Revolutionary Lunar Science Missions Set for 2028

NASA announced Tuesday the selection of three new science investigations that will strengthen humanity's understanding and exploration of the moon. As part of the agency's CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative and Artemis campaign, American companies will deliver these research payloads to the lunar surface no earlier than 2028. These cutting-edge instruments promise to revolutionize our understanding of Earth's nearest celestial neighbor through unprecedented thermal mapping, deep drilling operations, and radiation analysis.

"With CLPS, NASA has been taking a new approach to lunar science, relying on U.S. industry innovation to travel to the surface of the moon and enable scientific discovery," said Joel Kearns, deputy associate administrator for exploration, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters in Washington. "These selections continue this pipeline of lunar exploration, through research that will not only expand our knowledge about the moon's history and environment, but also inform future human safety and navigation on the moon and beyond."

Three Groundbreaking Instruments Ready to Transform Lunar Knowledge

The EMILIA-3D payload will create three-dimensional thermal models of the lunar terrain, using a thermal imager to measure the temperature of the landscape coupled with a stereo pair of visible-light cameras. These models will help the U.S. better image and navigate the moon's surface through improved understanding of the properties of the dusty lunar soil, called regolith, and what temperature measurements convey about the lunar surface. The principal investigator is Andrew Ryan at the University of Arizona.

The LISTER instrument will measure the heat flow of the moon's interior by drilling beneath the lunar surface, pausing at intervals to measure temperature changes and the ability of the subsurface material to conduct heat. Pausing at intervals to measure temperature changes, & the ability of the subsurface material to conduct heat. A previous version of LISTER flew on the Blue Ghost Mission 1 CLPS delivery to the Moon's near side. Where it took eight temperature & thermal conductivity measurements as well as, drilled down to about three feet beneath the lunar surface. This new LISTER investigation will study the heat flow generated by the Moon by giving us a better understanding of its thermal history.

The 'SELINE' payload will provide new insight into the Moon's radiation environment. By studying, for the first time at the lunar surface, the radiation from both primary galactic cosmic rays & their secondary particles, and how this radiation interacts with the lunar regolith. Data from 'SELINE' will improve our understanding of the planetary processes at work on the Moon. Also, to inform space weather preparation & safety for long-term human exploration of the lunar surface.

Preparing for Humanity's Return to the Moon

These investigations address critical knowledge gaps that will directly impact future human missions. The thermal mapping capabilities of EMILIA-3D will enhance navigation systems for both robotic and crewed missions, while LISTER's deep drilling technology demonstrates techniques that could be essential for establishing permanent lunar bases. Understanding subsurface heat flow will inform decisions about where to place habitats and how to potentially harness the Moon's geothermal properties.

The radiation measurements from SELINE hold particular significance for astronaut safety. Due to the Moon's lack of atmosphere and magnetic field, radiation from the Sun will be a challenge for electronics. This investigation also will characterize the radiation effects on the lunar surface. This data will be crucial for designing protective equipment and planning mission durations for future Artemis crews.

Building the Foundation for Deep Space Exploration

NASA uses CLPS to send scientific instruments and technology demonstrations to advance capabilities for science, exploration, or commercial development of the Moon and beyond. By supporting a steady cadence of lunar deliveries, the agency will continue to enable a growing lunar economy while leveraging the entrepreneurial innovation of the commercial space industry.

These missions represent more than just scientific curiosity. They're laying the groundwork for humanity's next giant leap toward Mars and beyond. The Moon serves as our testing ground for technologies and procedures that will eventually enable sustainable human presence throughout the solar system. Each drilling sample, thermal measurement, and radiation reading brings us closer to answering fundamental questions about planetary formation while simultaneously preparing us for the challenges of interplanetary exploration.