NASA Picks Payloads to Be Toted by 1st Private Moon Landers
By Mike Wall 8 hours ago
We know now what NASA science gear will fly on the first private moon landers, which could launch as early as this year.
The agency has picked 12 science and technology payloads, including three resource-prospecting instruments, for delivery to the lunar surface by robotic commercial landers, officials announced Thursday (Feb. 21).
"This payload selection announcement is the exciting next step on our path to return to the surface of the moon," Steve Clarke, the Science Mission Directorate deputy associate administrator for Exploration at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., said in a statement. [21 Most Marvelous Moon Missions of All Time]
The newly selected payloads, and others that follow in their footsteps, "will begin to build a healthy pipeline of scientific investigations and technology development payloads that we can fly to the lunar surface using U.S. commercial landing delivery services," Clarke added. "Future calls for payloads are planned to be released each year for additional opportunities."
More:
https://www.space.com/nasa-payloads-first-private-moon-landers.html