Tim
1.3K posts
Got it running with a terrain map in cesium. This is NASA LROC LOLA data at full resolution. I take a close look at Malapert and Leibniz peaks near the south pole.
These two figures show where, on the Lunar south pole, you endure periods of Earth and solar blackout respectively. In general, everywhere on the moon experiences a 350 hour freezing night. But near the poles, there are a few mountains where the sun almost always shines. During the Lunar winter, though, these areas always endure at least five days of shade, due in part to mutual shading. So pure solar + batteries is tough because very large batteries are needed. OTOH, about 40% of the Moon can always see the Earth and another 20% can see it sometimes, in the Terminator region where Earth rises and sets over a four week period. Very beautiful looking! And in the boundary between these areas, there are a few islands where the Earth, or at least the parts of the Earth with power transmission arrays, never set. The closest to the pole, on either pole, is Malapert Massif, but there are a few other areas nearby which are also interesting.
Lunar Outpost is proud to support NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program by delivering mobility that enables exploration and science on the lunar surface. In March 2025, the Lunar Voyage 1 MAPP rover reached the lunar South Pole as part of NASA’s CLPS‑3 mission, carrying instruments to prospect for and collect lunar resources at future Artemis landing sites. In 2026, the Lunar Voyage 2 MAPP rover will explore Reiner Gamma on NASA’s CLPS CP‑11, carrying science instruments from @JHUAPL to investigate a lunar swirl and magnetic anomaly. Slated to support global science and exploration at the lunar South Pole in 2030, the @AusSpaceAgency's Roo-ver rover is part of CLPS CT-4 and is being developed by the ELO₂ Consortium, co‑led by Lunar Outpost Oceania and @epequip. Together, these missions build real spaceflight heritage, advance long-term surface operations, and inform the technologies and operations behind the Eagle Lunar Terrain Vehicle. @NASA #CLPS #LunarOutpost #DrivingArtemis #TheNextLeap #SpaceTech #Innovation
NASA is building SR-1 Freedom, a nuclear electric propulsion spacecraft, launching to Mars in 2028. We are proud to announce this during the 250th year of the United States, the mission’s name reflects the spirit of American innovation and exploration. This mission will bring America’s nuclear power capabilities to space and deliver the Skyfall payload of Ingenuity class helicopters to explore the Red Planet. Nuclear power and propulsion will be the key to undertaking crewed missions to Mars and exploring the outer solar system. Space Reactor-1 (SR-1) Freedom will make the next giant leap and accomplish a key component of President Trump’s National Space Policy, bringing nuclear to space alongside @Energy.
NASA is advancing nuclear power and propulsion in space to accomplish President Trump’s national space objectives. With SR-1 Freedom, launching in 2028, we will demonstrate nuclear electric propulsion and deliver SkyFall helicopters to Mars. In collaboration with @Energy, these capabilities are key to future missions to Mars and beyond. A new chapter of deep space exploration begins. 🚀
