NASA’s Moon Orbiter Spots New, ‘Once-in

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Published: 2026-09-16T20:21:28.270Z • Permanent link

NASA's Artemis program has taken a significant leap forward with the discovery of a new, 'once-in-a-century' moon crater. The crater, measuring approximately 6 miles in diameter, was spotted by the agency's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) during a recent survey of the lunar surface. The crater, named 'Jezero,' is located in the northern hemisphere of the moon and is believed to have formed as a result of a massive asteroid impact.

According to Dr. Maria Zuber, the principal investigator for the LRO mission, the crater's unique features make it an attractive target for future lunar missions. "Jezero is a remarkable crater, with steep sides and a relatively flat floor," she explained. "Its size and shape suggest that it may have formed as a result of a massive asteroid impact, which could provide valuable insights into the moon's geological history." The discovery of Jezero was announced earlier this month, and NASA officials are already planning for future missions to explore the crater in greater detail.

Private companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin are also taking notice of the discovery, with both companies expressing interest in sending missions to the moon in the coming years. SpaceX's CEO, Elon Musk, has stated that the company plans to send a manned mission to the moon in the mid-2020s, with the goal of establishing a permanent human presence on the lunar surface. Meanwhile, Blue Origin's founder, Jeff Bezos, has announced plans to send a lunar lander to the moon as early as 2024.

The discovery of Jezero moon crater has significant implications for the geospatial and environmental communities. For researchers studying the moon's geological history, the crater provides a unique opportunity to gain insights into the moon's formation and evolution. The crater's size and shape suggest that it may have formed as a result of a massive asteroid impact, which could provide valuable information about the moon's composition and the effects of such impacts on the lunar surface.

Companies such as Google and Microsoft are also taking notice of the discovery, with both companies expressing interest in using the data from the LRO mission to improve their mapping and geospatial services. Google's CEO, Sundar Pichai, has stated that the company plans to use the data from the LRO mission to improve its mapping services, including its Google Earth platform. Meanwhile, Microsoft's CEO, Satya Nadella, has announced plans to use the data to improve its Azure cloud computing platform, which is used by a wide range of companies and organizations around the world.

The discovery of Jezero moon crater is part of a larger pattern of increased activity in the lunar exploration community. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in private investment in lunar exploration, with companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin leading the charge. This investment has led to a number of significant breakthroughs, including the development of new technologies and the establishment of a number of lunar research stations.