The Space Space: Moon missions are lifting off across the solar system

SPACE (KXAN) — NASA’s next big space mission has been approved for launch and the Earth’s moon takes the spotlight this month.

Set to launch in 2024, NASA’s Europa Clipper will travel to Jupiter’s moon Europa to investigate whether the moon has conditions necessary to support life. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

The weekend brought some wild space news, including a sailing spacecraft and, of course, a couple of astronauts stranded on the International Space Station.

Here’s a breakdown of all the big news in space this week:

Travel to Jupiter is a go

On Monday, Sept. 9, NASA announced that the Europa Clipper mission is approved for launch. The six-year journey to Jupiter’s moon, Europa, will begin on Oct. 10.

Europa Clipper is the biggest spacecraft NASA has ever built for investigating another body in space. It spans more than 100 feet once deployed.

During the mission, the craft will perform dozens of fly-bys just 16 miles above the surface of Jupiter’s icy moon. Scientists believe a liquid ocean exists under the moon’s shell, which could contain alien life.

Europa Clipper will study the moon with several devices, including cameras and special forms of radar. Some of those devices were developed at the University of Texas in Austin.

Exploring Earth’s Moon with Artemis

In the next couple years, NASA will at long last return to Earth’s moon as part of the Artemis missions. They’re going to need some help finding their way around the lunar surface.

Illustration of SpaceX Starship human lander design that will carry NASA astronauts to the Moon’s surface during the Artemis mission. Credits: SpaceX

On Sept. 9, the space administration announced the Lunar Navigation Challenge.

NASA wants the public to help design new navigation tools for astronauts. While similar tools were available during the Apollo missions, it is time for an upgrade. Devices must be “accurate, easy to use, able to be used on the moon’s surface by an astronaut wearing pressurized gloves.”

People can submit their ideas through NASA’s website. The winner could be eligible for a share of a $15,000 prize.

NASA also needs help exploring Shackleton Crater, one area the administration hopes to explore. According to NASA, this design must “work in the extreme conditions of the lunar south pole and Shackleton Crater, map the crater, characterize and quantify what is in the crater, and send the data back to be used for future missions.”

Winning devices for this challenge will share a prize purse of $30,000.

Submissions for the challenge are due by November 25, 2024.

Praise the moon

Dec. 5, 2022 A portion of the Moon looms large just beyond the Orion spacecraft in this image taken on the 20th day of the Artemis I mission by a camera on the tip of one of Orion’s solar arrays. (Credit: NASA)

This Saturday, Sept. 14, is International Observe the Moon Night. Astronomers around the world are being asked to step outside and take a look at our space neighbor.

NASA will host an event in Greenbelt, Maryland, which will also be live-streamed.

According to the administration, almost a million people across 123 countries participated in the event last year.

This is the 15th year NASA has run the program. It is sponsored by the LRO (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter) mission and the Solar System Exploration Division of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

This year, the moon will be in its first quarter, which NASA says is great for observing.

Solar sailing through the stars

NASA is testing out a new method for space travel: sailing. The Advanced Composite Solar Sail System relies on the sun’s rays to propel a spacecraft. It launched on April 23, 2024.

Stargazers can now spot the spacecraft sailing through the stars over Earth. NASA’s mobile app will now include a tracking feature so you can find the sail through a telescope.

An artist’s concept of NASA’s Advanced Composite Solar Sail System spacecraft in orbit as the Sun crests Earth’s horizon. (Credit: NASA/Aero Animation/Ben Schweighart)

Solar sails eliminate the need for rocket fuel, allowing smaller ships to “sail on sunlight.” The idea could allow for low cost deep space missions to become more common.

If you spot the ACS3 system in flight, tag your photos with #SpotTheSail to be featured on NASA’s website.

Starliner returns to Earth, Astronauts do not

Finally, the Boeing Starline landed on Earth at 10:01 p.m. on September 6, following a three-month mission aboard the International Space Station. What was supposed to be an eight-day stay for astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams turned into a PR nightmare.

A helium leak and issues with the control thrusters on Starliner led NASA to the decision not to include the astronauts on the return trip. They are now stranded on the International Space Station until February 2025.

This photo provided by NASA shows Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft which launched astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the International Space Station docked to the Harmony module’s forward port on July 3, 2024, seen from a window on the SpaceX Dragon Endeavour spacecraft docked to the adjacent port. (NASA via AP)

“We are excited to have Starliner home safely. This was an important test flight for NASA in setting us up for future missions on the Starliner system,” said Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program in a press release. “There was a lot of valuable learning that will enable our long-term success. I want to commend the entire team for their hard work and dedication over the past three months.”

The June 5 launch was the first manned spaceflight of the Starliner craft. It will now be shipped to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida for inspection.

On Sept. 13, Wilmore and Williams will participate in a press conference. Media will get a chance to chat with the stranded scientists at 2:15 p.m. EDT.