For the first time in 50 years: NASA measures the heat of the Moon

The Blue Ghost lander, which was developed by Firefly Aerospace, allowed NASA to measure the heat flow from the Moon’s interior. These measurements had not been taken since the Apollo missions, and were completed more than 50 years ago.

Blue Ghost was able to obtain the first thermal data using robotic technology. It used the LISTER instrument, which was installed under the lower deck of the lander. The instrument uses a special pneumatic drill, developed by Texas Tech and Honeybee Robotics, which can drill into the lunar soil and measure the temperature through a needle sensor.

The measurements, which were taken at a level covered with solidified lava, will help scientists understand the geological processes that formed the Moon over 4.5 billion years. The data is unique, because it is impossible to obtain it using orbital vehicles.

Recall that NASA Blue Ghost landed on the Moon and showed the first photos of the surface.