NASA began exploring the Moon long before Neil Armstrong became the first human to set foot there, sending unmanned spacecraft missions that provided invaluable data about landing techniques and helped scientists understand its environment. These missions gave NASA vital knowledge about landing techniques while providing scientific understanding of what life might look like on the lunar surface.
Pittsburgh company Intuitive Machines was awarded contracts by companies like iSpace and Astrobotic Technology to build more lunar landers, including Peregrine Lander which failed due to a fuel leak and crashed upon arrival at its destination of the Moon.
Surveyor 7
As with the other five Surveyors, this vehicle carried a television camera and surface sampler for use in digging trenches and making bearing tests. All temperature sensitive electronics were kept within two thermal boxes attached to its frame.
This mission demonstrated that closed-loop terminal descent guidance and control systems could be effectively utilized on the Moon. Furthermore, powered descent to its surface proved feasible and straightforward.
Lunar Prospector
Lunar Prospector orbited the Moon for nearly 18 months before collapsing into a lunar crater on July 31st 1999 and returning invaluable data regarding its resources and structure. During its mission it sent back invaluable insight into lunar affairs that would later help inform subsequent missions to explore it further.
One of the biggest mysteries of the moon has been solved through this work by verifying water ice’s existence in deep polar craters. Gamma ray spectrometer data such as counting rate maps of thorium and potassium isotopes as well as distribution maps of iron gamma rays demonstrate compositional variations across lunar surfaces.
Lunar Orbiter 1
Lunar Orbiter 1 employed an innovative photographic package manufactured by Eastman Kodak to detect potential Apollo landing sites. It featured two dual-lens cameras which used one roll of film with both high and medium resolution exposures on every frame for optimal photogrammetric results.
At low altitudes, lunar mascons were also mapped. Their primary objectives included photography, topographical and geologic surveys, measurement of micrometeoroids and radiation conditions and imaging.
Lunar Orbiter 2
Lunar Orbiter 2 like its predecessors was used to map smooth areas of the lunar surface to help select safe sites for Surveyor and Apollo landings, taking photographs at 211 different locations on its journey, including an extraordinary oblique picture of Copernicus Crater.
Micrometeoroid experiments conducted during Apollo confirmed that micrometeoroid flux near the Moon was higher than in interplanetary space, while radiation tests verified that its hardware would protect astronauts against greater short-term solar particle exposure than expected.
Lunar Orbiter 3
Lunar Orbiter 3 was developed to survey Apollo candidate landing sites with greater resolution than Orbiters 1 and 2. This 385-kilogram spacecraft boasted two lenses for medium resolution photography: an 80 mm wide-angle lens for medium resolution and a 610 mm narrow angle lens for high resolution; in addition, instruments were installed that collected selenodetic and radiation intensity data.
On February 15, a spacecraft began its photographic mission in an orbit around 55 by 1847 kilometers around the moon. By March 4, however, a readout problem with its film advance mechanism prevented it from transmitting images.
Lunar Lander 1
This NASA-funded lunar lander designed and operated by Intuitive Machines was constructed to showcase navigation, communication, and precision landing technologies as well as five NASA science instruments.
The spacecraft successfully landed in Sinus Medii crater near the south pole, taking pictures and gathering data before lunar night begins.
Lunar Lander 2
On 11 April 2019 after suffering engine failure, a spacecraft from Israeli private firm SpaceIL collided with the Moon and crashed. The spacecraft was competing in Google Lunar X Prize competition.
The lander carried equipment designed for surface exploration, such as a camera and radiation-measuring system; low-frequency radio astronomy was also utilized to search for any remnants of the Big Bang’s beginnings.
Mission Objectives: Establish a topographic map of the near side of the Moon and measure its composition.
Lunar Lander 3
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ISRO’s Chandrayaan-2 lander and rover are examining the Moon’s surface with laser technology equipped on its rover to weigh rocks and detect signs of water ice deposits.
NASA’s LADEE spacecraft circled the Moon for months to study its dusty environment before being intentionally crashed onto its surface in order to maintain a debris-free region for future crewed missions.
Lunar Lander 4
The inaugural Lego lunar lander boasts a base that accurately represents lunar surface features such as footprints and flag. Incorporating an [Light Grey] 10×10 Octagonal Assembly.
As with any spacecraft, lunar landers are highly sensitive to their initial requirements. Adjust one aspect and see it ripple throughout structure, fuel requirements, trajectories, and systems; an engineering challenge indeed!
Lunar Lander 5
Intuitive Machines’ lunar lander aims to become the first privately built spacecraft ever to touch down on the moon since 1950, as well as being an American vehicle to do so in over half that time.
Internal equipment of the lander included two high-gain antennas, a steerable dish antenna and an instrument to measure lunar surface temperature. Engineers at mission control could monitor its progress with its color TV camera.