After the space agency canceled its VIPER rover, an empty space was available on a private spacecraft that will still head to the lunar surface.

"NASA is looking forward to partnering with U.S. industry to meet the challenges of performing volatiles science in the lunar environment."

China plans to send a flying robot to the far side of the moon next year to search for the frozen water that could hold the key to future lunar exploration, as the country pushes forward with its ambitious space program.

China’s space program has long been one of the most ambitious in the world, and its upcoming Chang’e-7 mission to the moon’s far side is a bold next step. The mission, set to launch in 2026, will send a flying robot to explore the lunar south pole in search of frozen water,

A flying robot will be China’s next tool in the search for water on the moon’s south pole. The Moon’s south pole has become a highly coveted destination for space exploration. The main attraction of the Moon’s south pole is the potential for water ice in permanently shadowed craters.

Jeff Bezos' spaceflight company Blue Origin simulated lunar gravity conditions today (Feb. 4) during the 29th launch of its New Shepard suborbital vehicle.