Lunar Trailblazer
Mission Type
Launch
objective
mission end
Lunar Trailblazer launched on Feb. 26, 2025, on a mission to orbit Earth's Moon to detect and map water on the surface. The mission aimed to improve our understanding of the Moon’s water and geology by determining the form, abundance, and distribution of water across the lunar surface.
NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer Moon Mission Ends
NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer ended its mission to the Moon on July 31. Despite extensive efforts, mission operators were unable to establish two-way communications after losing contact with the spacecraft the day following its Feb. 26 launch.
Mission Overview
Lunar Trailblazer is a pioneering smallsat which will detect and map water on the lunar surface.
Lunar Trailblazer will enable a better understanding of the Moon’s water and geology by determining the form, abundance, and distribution of water across the lunar surface.
About the Spacecraft
Lunar Trailblazer is a box-shaped spacecraft with two solar arrays.
With the solar arrays deployed, the length of Lunar Trailblazer is about 11.5 feet (3.5 meters). The spacecraft was built by Lockheed Martin.
Lunar Trailblazer Fact Sheet
Unlocking the Moon's Icy Secrets
Where is the Moon’s water, and what form is it in? NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer aims to find out, and the answers could prove essential to future explorers.
