Moon

The Moon is experiencing renewed interest from space agencies globally. China's Chang'e missions are actively exploring the lunar surface, with Chang'e-6 discovering naturally produced carbon nanotubes on the far side, challenging previous assumptions about their origin. The upcoming Chang'e-7 mission aims to directly sample and measure water ice at the lunar south pole, specifically near Shackleton crater, but scientists are concerned about potential contamination during the sampling process. Simultaneously, NASA is preparing for the Artemis II mission, the first crewed mission to the Moon in over 50 years. The Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, part of the Artemis II mission, has been moved to the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with a launch date set for February 6th. These missions highlight the Moon's significance as a potential source of resources like water and as a stepping stone for future space exploration.