Engineers remain committed to LunaH-Map, a compact satellite designed to map lunar hydrogen using a neutron detector. Coverage across space-news outlets frames the mission within Artemis 1, highlighting the technical hurdles faced during the first lunar flight in the Artemis program.
At launch on November 16, Orion carried a set of small satellites, including LunaH-Map, with NASA funding aimed at understanding water presence at the Moon’s south pole. The project uses a neutron detector to chart how hydrogen is distributed in this area, offering clues about potential water ice deposits and the Moon’s geological makeup.
Tragedy struck on November 21 when a ground-issued command to ignite LunaH-Map did not produce the expected thrust. LunaH-Map relies on Busek’s BIT-3 ion engine, which uses solid iodine fuel. Radar readings analyzed by the mission team suggested a partial sticking of the fuel valve. This partial blockage allowed some iodine to pass, but not enough to generate the thrust necessary for maneuvering.
To fix the issue, engineers are attempting to regain valve operation by applying heat via heaters. Lead mission researcher Craig Hardgrove of Arizona State University noted that the problem may have been anticipated during early design phases, possibly tied to delays before launch. His assessment stresses the importance of robust prelaunch testing and contingency planning for deep-space propulsion hardware.
If valve control is restored, the team hopes to reestablish propulsion by mid-January. The plan then is to reposition LunaH-Map into a lunar orbit that enables the science objectives while keeping the overall Artemis program timeline intact. There is also consideration of a later rendezvous with a near-Earth asteroid, a potential pathway to extend scientific returns beyond the Moon itself, as outlined by mission leadership.
Despite propulsion challenges, other spacecraft systems aboard LunaH-Map have operated successfully. The neutron spectrometer, central to the mission, has continued collecting data en route. This instrument’s performance supports the scientific goals by ongoing exploration of regions with water ice deposits at the Moon’s south pole. Mission researchers observed that the spectrometer’s activity demonstrates the instrument’s capability to perform the planned research, validating the scientific approach even as propulsion issues are resolved. The broader team remains focused on data return and the implications for future lunar exploration and water-resource assessment, according to updates from project leadership.
Overall, LunaH-Map illustrates a careful balance between ambitious science objectives and the real-world engineering hurdles of deploying compact spacecraft for deep-space operations. The perseverance of the team, willingness to adjust the mission timeline, and continual verification of instrument performance all contribute to the mission’s potential success once propulsion is stabilized and the spacecraft resumes its trajectory toward the Moon or beyond, in line with the broader Artemis goals reported by mission engineers and scientists involved in the effort.
Notes indicate that the information reflects the situation as observed by the mission team and corroborated by independent experts in the field, with ongoing updates provided by project management and participating institutions. LunaH-Map remains a key part of NASA’s effort to understand lunar water resources and their practical implications for future exploration and a sustained presence on and around the Moon.