{
  "id": 3524578,
  "title": "NASA Begins Moon Mission Plume-Surface Interaction Tests",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/nasa-begins-moon-mission-plume-surface-interaction-tests",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-26T13:58:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "NASA Science",
    "slug": "nasa-science",
    "url": "https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis/nasa-begins-moon-mission-plume-surface-interaction-tests/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "NASA has started a series of tests to better understand the effects of rocket plumes on lunar soil and dust, as the agency prepares for future Moon missions with the Artemis program. At NASA's Langley Research Center in Virginia, researchers have set up a 60-foot vacuum chamber to simulate the harsh conditions of the lunar surface.\n\nAshley Korzun, the testing lead at NASA Langley, explained that these tests are crucial for improving predictive models and designing space hardware. The plume-surface interaction tests involve two types of propulsion systems: an ethane plume simulation system from NASA's Stennis Space Center and a 3D-printed hybrid rocket motor developed at Utah State University. Both systems will be tested at various heights, with the ethane plume generating around 100 pounds of thrust, while the hybrid motor produces about 35 pounds.\n\nDuring the six-second tests, researchers capture data on crater formation, ejecta sheet angle and height, spatial distribution of solid ejecta, and the speed of regolith particles. The instruments used for these tests include versions of the Stereo Cameras for Lunar Plume Surface Studies system, which were previously used to image the plume-surface interaction during Firefly's Blue Ghost Mission-1 lunar landing in 2025.\n\nThe modular design of this test campaign allows researchers to simulate different surfaces, such as Mars regolith, and adjust the chamber's pressure to resemble the atmosphere of the Red Planet. While the current focus is on the Moon, this testing can also provide valuable data for potential future missions to Mars.",
  "summary": "EDITOR’S NOTE: This story, originally published in December, was revised Aug. 26, 2026 with an update on a new phase of testing, including video from a recent test run and new images. To help NASA and commercial partners better understand the science of lunar landings, specifically the hazards that may occur when a lander’s engine […] The post NASA Begins Moon Mission Plume-Surface Interaction…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "NASA",
        "title": "NASA Begins Moon Mission Plume-Surface Interaction Tests",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/nasa-begins-moon-mission-plume-surface-interaction-tests-3524735",
        "published": "2026-08-26T13:58:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}