NASA and ULA partner on lunar mission components and landing technology

United Launch Alliance (ULA) and NASA have announced a collaboration to develop a new Centaur upper stage. The component is scheduled to be manufactured in Decatur, Alabama, with an intended operational date by 2028.

In related lunar research, students and researchers at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) have successfully tested a prototype lunar landing pad. Led by Dr. Judy Schneider, the team conducted rocket-motor firing tests at the university’s Propulsion Research Center to demonstrate how a modular, vented system can redirect rocket exhaust.

This technology aims to protect spacecraft and future lunar infrastructure from the intense heat, force, and debris generated during landings, addressing the lack of water-based cooling resources available on the Moon.