NASA Sending 3 New Moon Experiments to Study Radiation & Heat

Three new scientific instruments are heading to the moon to answer questions that could reshape how we explore space and keep astronauts safe.

NASA announced Tuesday that American companies will deliver the research payloads to the lunar surface no earlier than 2028 as part of the agency's Artemis campaign. Each experiment tackles a different puzzle about Earth's closest neighbor.

The first payload, called EMILIA-3D, will create three-dimensional thermal maps of the moon's dusty landscape. By measuring surface temperatures and capturing stereo images, scientists at the University of Arizona will help future missions navigate the challenging lunar terrain more safely.

The second instrument, LISTER, will drill beneath the moon's surface to measure heat flowing from its interior. Texas Tech University researchers will pause at intervals while drilling about three feet down, taking temperature readings that reveal the moon's thermal history. A previous version of this tool already flew on the Blue Ghost Mission 1 earlier this year.

The third experiment, SELINE, breaks new ground by studying lunar radiation for the first time directly at the surface. Johns Hopkins University scientists will measure how cosmic rays interact with moon dust, providing critical data to protect astronauts during long-term lunar stays.

"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," said Joel Kearns, NASA's deputy associate administrator for exploration.

The agency designed these experiments to work anywhere on the lunar surface, giving NASA flexibility in planning future missions. By partnering with commercial space companies through the Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative, NASA is building a steady rhythm of moon deliveries while supporting a growing lunar economy.

The Ripple Effect

This approach represents a fundamental shift in how we explore space. Instead of relying solely on massive government missions, NASA now taps into American innovation and entrepreneurial spirit to advance science. Each successful delivery strengthens the foundation for sustained human presence on the moon, which in turn prepares us for even more ambitious journeys to Mars and beyond.

The radiation data alone could transform space travel safety, while the thermal mapping will make landing and operating on the moon far more predictable. Understanding heat flow from the moon's interior helps scientists piece together how Earth's companion formed billions of years ago.

These three experiments join a growing fleet of scientific instruments helping humanity return to the moon after more than five decades, this time to stay.