Moon

From Lunar Dust to Lunar Cities:  Engineers Turn the Moon’s Harsh Surface into a Blueprint for Settlement

Chrissy Newton·June 14, 2026

Researchers at Texas A&M University are exploring how lunar material could become a key building block for the first permanent settlements beyond Earth.

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope Just Revealed Surprising Surface Details on a Nearby ‘Super-Earth’

Christopher Plain·May 5, 2026

In a historic first, scientists have successfully characterized several surface features and the likely mineral composition of an exoplanet

Robot Dogs on Mars? New Study Shows Semi-Autonomous Machines Could Transform Planetary Exploration

Tim McMillan·April 10, 2026

Robot dog ANYmal could transform Mars and Moon exploration, enabling faster, semi-autonomous missions across extreme terrain.

NASA’s Artemis II Astronauts Spot Mysterious New Lunar Features During Historic Mission

Micah Hanks·April 8, 2026

This week, a rare look at the far side of the Moon emerges in stunning new Artemis II imagery; but that's not all the astronaut crew observed.

Stunning Artemis II Images Reveal Moon’s Mysterious Far Side and Ancient Lunar Phenomena in Sharpest Resolution Ever Seen

Micah Hanks·April 8, 2026

Earth and the Moon take center stage in stunning new Artemis II images, revealing features that have never been seen previously.

NASA Images Reveal Odd “Slithering” Impressions Across the Lunar Surface—This is Their Surprising Source

Micah Hanks·February 9, 2026

A bizarre-looking series of features on the Moon, captured in NASA imagery, appears to resemble the pathway of an enormous serpent slithering across the lunar surface.

Artemis II Nears Launch as NASA Prepares to Send Humans Around the Moon

Micah Hanks·January 29, 2026

This week, NASA enters the final stretch of preparations for Artemis II, the first crewed mission to circle the Moon in more than 50 years.

An Unexpected Discovery in Lunar Soil Samples Could Solve a Magnetic Moon Mystery

Micah Hanks·November 17, 2025

Scientists have made a surprise discovery in lunar soil samples that could help unravel the mystery behind the Moon’s magnetic anomalies.

A ‘Chilling’ Discovery on the Moon, Odd New Images of 3I/ATLAS, and the Physics of Finding Concealed Objects

Micah Hanks·October 7, 2025

This week, new lunar rock samples from the Moon’s far side reveal a 'chilling' discovery, and odd new images of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS have surfaced.

Rock Samples From the Far Side of the Moon Reveal a Chilling Mystery

Tim McMillan·October 6, 2025

New research reveals the Moon’s far side is cooler and more complex than expected, reshaping our understanding of its hidden interior.

A Nuclear Reactor on the Moon? U.S. Races to Deploy Nuclear Power in Space Amid China-Russia Push

Micah Hanks·August 7, 2025

A newly surfaced NASA directive reveals a fast-tracked effort by the United States to deploy a nuclear reactor on the Moon and Mars.

Chinese Researchers Develop Breakthrough System to Extract Water and Fuel from Lunar Soil

Chrissy Newton·August 7, 2025

New research reveals a process that could allow astronauts to harvest water from lunar soil during future missions on the Moon.

NASA Unveils ‘Hidden’ Cave Entrances to the Moon’s Secret Underworld

Micah Hanks·July 31, 2025

This week, a groundbreaking new study reveals the discovery of new caves on the Moon that could serve as natural entrances to the lunar underworld.

NASA and ESA Are Tracking an Asteroid That Might Collide With the Moon in 2031

Chrissy Newton·June 24, 2025

NASA and ESA scientists are monitoring asteroid 2024 YR4, which is now projected to have a small chance of impacting the Moon.

U.S. Army Secretary Refers to Astronaut “On the Moon Who’s a Soldier,” Igniting Secret Space Program Conspiracies

Micah Hanks·June 13, 2025

An odd statement by U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll this week ignited speculations about secretive U.S. military operations on the Moon.

Lunar Magnetism Mystery “Still Unexplained” as Material Detected on Far Side of the Moon Stumps Scientists

Christopher Plain·May 28, 2025

MIT scientists propose a radical new theory to explain why some rocks on the far side of the moon are highly magnetic.

Mapping Lunar Mysteries, NASA’s Newest Gravity Model is Redefining the Moon’s Interior

Ryan Whalen·May 14, 2025

NASA’s latest gravitational data model of the Moon generated a litany of discoveries from ancient volcanoes to navigational information.

“Astronomy is Facing an Existential crisis,” Says Researcher Who Solved Radio Telescope Mystery

Ryan Whalen·February 14, 2025

An American Astronomy team at Brown University found themselves in a mystery when an Australian telescope recorded some perplexing data.

Mysterious Object Orbiting Earth May Have Come from the Moon, Investigation Reveals

Micah Hanks·January 24, 2025

An unusual looking 33-foot-long object discovered orbiting Earth last year may have come from a surprising place.

COVID-19 Impacted the Moon’s Climate, New Study Reveals

Ryan Whalen·October 4, 2024

Researchers in India discover that COVID-19 lockdowns led to a cooler and frostier lunar climate, according to new study.

Earth Will Temporarily Have a “Mini-Moon” in Its Orbit Until Late November

Chrissy Newton·September 23, 2024

Astronomers have revealed that an additional "mini-moon," asteroid 2024 PT5, will briefly enter an orbit around Earth in the days ahead.

Will China Hydrate the Moon?

This week on The Debrief Weekly Report...

MJ Banias·September 4, 2024

Kenna and Stephanie dip their toes into a story about Chinese scientists who say they have found a way to produce water on the Moon.

Researchers Detect “Hidden” Activity Beneath the Lunar Surface on the Far Side of the Moon

Tim McMillan·August 29, 2024

Scientists have identified signs of "hidden magmatism" beneath the lunar surface, shedding new light on the moon's geologic history. 

Scientists Have Developed an Innovative Method of Producing Water on the Moon

Ryan Whalen·August 24, 2024

Chinese scientists have developed a novel method to produce water on the moon, a resource that is scarce in the lunar environment, in support of eventual permanent human settlement.

Source of the Moon’s Mysterious Atmosphere Revealed in New Analysis of Apollo-era Samples

Avi Loeb·August 12, 2024

What is the source of the lunar atmosphere? A new paper suggests the primary source of fresh atoms and molecules in the lunar atmosphere.

Biorepository on the Moon Could Preserve Genetic Material From Endangered Species, Researchers Say

Kenna Hughes-Castleberry·August 6, 2024

An international team of scientists has proposed a unique idea to protect the Earth's endangered species: a biorepository on the Moon.

Graphene, Earth’s Most Promising “Wonder Material,” Has Been Found on the Moon

Ryan Whalen·August 5, 2024

For the first time, researchers have found evidence of naturally-formed graphene in soil samples collected from the Moon.

NASA Radar Data Confirms Existence of Subsurface “Tunnel” Near Famous Apollo-Era Lunar Landing Site

Micah Hanks·July 15, 2024

Scientists have confirmed the existence of a subsurface tunnel-like feature near the landing site of the first crewed mission to the Moon.

Future Moon Bases Could be Built Using This Game-Changing Technology Derived from Off-Planet Material

Micah Hanks·July 10, 2024

Scientists have proposed a novel method of allocating materials for the future construction of Moon bases using resources already present on the lunar surface.

Strange Swirling Structures on the Moon Could Point to Unseen Activity Beneath the Lunar Surface

Micah Hanks·July 3, 2024

New research is closing in on what causes mysterious lunar swirls, pointing to unexplored phenomena occurring beneath the Moon's surface.

DARPA’s Lunar Railroad is the Latest Saga in the DoD’s Mysterious Obsession with the Moon

Tim McMillan·March 22, 2024

DARPA's plans to build a lunar railroad are the latest manifestation of the DoD's strategic obsession with the Moon.

600-Million-Camera ‘Skynet’ Basis for New Lunar Spy System as China Pursues Surveillance State Beyond Earth

Tim McMillan·March 7, 2024

China's ambitious plan to expand its "Skynet" surveillance network to the Moon aims to construct an off-planet surveillance state.

Chang’e-5 Sample Analysis Reveals Moon’s Hidden History, Curious Link to “Anomalous” Crater

Micah Hanks·March 4, 2024

Samples collected by China’s Chang’e-5 lander have revealed connections to a mysterious crater that has long perplexed astronomers.

The Moon Will Return to Earth to Die in 7.6-Billion Years. Here’s How It May Happen.

Avi Loeb·February 24, 2024

The Moon will eventually return to Earth, but humans won't be around long enough to see it.

Intuitive Machines’ Odysseus Probe to Attempt Historic First Private Moon Landing Today: Here’s What to Know

Tim McMillan·February 22, 2024

Today's Odysseus moon landing marks a historic partnership between NASA and private industry to revive lunar exploration.

This Strange Phenomena Could Place NASA’s Lunar Landers At Risk

It's a sticky situation...

MJ Banias·February 16, 2024

NASA has embarked on the Electrostatic Regolith Interaction Experiment (ERIE) to combat the hazards posed by lunar dust.

NASA to Conduct Experiment Near the Moon’s Mysterious South Pole That Could Radically Change Future Lunar Exploration

Micah Hanks·February 7, 2024

NASA has announced new plans for an experiment on the Moon that could fundamentally change the future of lunar exploration, the agency said this week.

‘Strategic Location’ For Future Base at the Lunar South Pole is Being Rocked by Mysterious Moonquakes, NASA Images Reveal

Micah Hanks·January 26, 2024

A NASA-funded study of a key strategic location on the Moon has revealed the presence of moonquakes and faults near the lunar south pole.

Something ‘Anomalous’ on the Moon’s Surface is Exhibiting ‘Unique’ Magnetic and Reflective Properties

Christopher Plain·January 22, 2024

Researchers studying over one million digital photos have found something anomalous on the Moon's surface that exhibits unique magnetic and reflective properties.

Coincidences of Our Sun and Moon: Are Earthlings Exceptionally Lucky?

Avi Loeb·January 21, 2024

Was the Moon-Sun tidal coincidence on Earth important for allowing complex and intelligent life?

AI Can Read Cuneiform Now

This week on The Debrief Weekly Report...

MJ Banias·November 29, 2023

On today’s episode, we discuss an ancient discovery into human wearable technology, how AI is now being used to decipher ancient cuneiform tablets, and why NASA wants to grow food in lunar soil.

Chinese Rocket Carrying a Secret Payload Left an Odd Double Crater as It Smashed into the Moon. Now Scientists Want Answers.

Micah Hanks·November 20, 2023

A team of Arizona astronomers says they know the identity of a mysterious object that collided with the Moon last year, and that it was carrying an unknown payload.

Researchers Find Evidence of a Lost Planet, Theia, Deep Within Earth’s Core, Shedding Light on the Moon’s Mysterious Origins

Tim McMillan·November 2, 2023

Groundbreaking study suggests Earth's core holds remnants of a lost planet Theia, offering clues to the Moon's formation and ancient past.

DARPA’s LOGIC Initiative: Shaping the Pathway for Lunar Infrastructure Development and Off-World Societies

Tim McMillan·October 18, 2023

DARPA's LOGIC initiative paves the way for lunar infrastructure development, setting the stage for a booming off-world economy.

Mysterious Liquid Lunar Discovery May Have a Surprising Source… and It’s Coming from Earth’s Magnetotail

Micah Hanks·September 18, 2023

New research has revealed plasma sheet electrons from Earth's magnetotail as a potential source for the formation of water on the Moon.

Something Odd Has Been Detected on the Moon… and It’s Coming from the Apollo 17 Lunar Lander Base

Micah Hanks·September 13, 2023

Scientists studying the sources of unusual signals detected on the Moon have traced them back to the lunar lander base from one of NASA’s historic Apollo missions.

Buried on the Far Side of the Moon, the Detection of a Mysterious Heat-Emitting Object Leads to an Unexpected Discovery

Micah Hanks·July 7, 2023

The detection of a large, heat-emitting mass buried beneath the far side of the Moon suggests it may have a history more like our planet than scientists once realized.

Amino Acid Slow Jams

This week on The Debrief Weekly Report...

MJ Banias and Stephanie Gerk·June 23, 2023

SUBSCRIBE TO ‘THE DEBRIEF WEEKLY REPORT’: Apple Podcasts | Spotify On today’s episode, we discuss a lunar mystery, a discovery of...

What’s That Orbiting the Moon? Data Suggests a Lost Spacecraft Could be Lurking in Lunar Orbit

Micah Hanks·June 16, 2023

Recent calculations suggest a famous "lost" spacecraft could have been hiding for decades in orbit around the moon.

Chrissy Newton Gets Rebelliously Curious with NASA Astromaterials Expert John E. Gruener

Christopher Plain·May 5, 2023

In the latest episode of Rebelliously Curious, The Debrief's Chrissy Newtn sits down with NASA Astromaterials expert and former "space farmer" John E. Gruener.