NASA to Conduct First Controlled Fire Test on the Moon in 2026 Artemis Experiment

NASA is preparing the Flammability of Materials on the Moon (FM2) experiment, the first controlled combustion test on another world. Scheduled for late 2026 as part of the Artemis program, the experiment will burn small material samples inside a sealed chamber on the lunar surface to gather data on how fire behaves in the Moon’s one‑sixth gravity.

The study aims to inform safety designs for future lunar habitats by measuring flame size, spread, heat radiation, oxygen consumption and other parameters. Results are expected to improve spacecraft and habitat construction, ensuring astronaut safety during upcoming long‑duration missions.