This NASA gear may be the first to survive the brutal lunar night
NASA is developing new technology designed to survive the extreme cold of the lunar night, which can reach temperatures as low as -330 degrees Fahrenheit. The Lunar Environment Monitoring Station, tested in simulated moon conditions, aims to operate through the two-week-long lunar night. This capability is crucial for future missions, especially at the moon's south pole, where temperatures are among the coldest in the solar system.
- ▪The lunar night lasts about two weeks and can plunge temperatures to -330 degrees Fahrenheit.
- ▪Most robotic missions fail to survive the lunar night due to battery failure and brittle metal joints.
- ▪NASA's Lunar Environment Monitoring Station is being tested to withstand these conditions and continue operations after the night ends.
- ▪The moon's south pole is a key target for exploration due to suspected water ice, but presents extreme thermal challenges.
- ▪Engineers have tested the equipment in simulated lunar soil at the University of Central Florida.
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Home > Science > Space This NASA gear may be the first to survive the brutal lunar night Living on sunlight and batteries at the moon's south pole. By Elisha Sauers Elisha Sauers Elisha Sauers writes about space for Mashable, taking deep dives into NASA's moon and Mars missions, chatting up astronauts and history-making discoverers, and jetting above the clouds. Through 17 years of reporting, she's covered a variety of topics, including health, business, and government, with a penchant for public records requests. She previously worked for The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, Virginia, and The Capital in Annapolis, Maryland. Her work has earned numerous state awards, including the Virginia Press Association's top honor, Best in Show, and national recognition for narrative storytelling.
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