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<\/p>\n2024 was another busy year for space science, with many new missions, successes, and discoveries across the solar system and beyond. Three new missions were launched to the Moon, while one mission was canceled, and Curiosity and Perseverance continued to explore and make discoveries in their respective regions on Mars.<\/p>\n
Beyond the Earth-Moon system and Mars, NASA\u2019s historic Europa Clipper mission finally launched to Jupiter, Hera launched to investigate the damage dealt by DART in 2022, Parker Solar Probe made its closest approach to the Sun, and Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 continued to send data from beyond the solar system while experiencing issues.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
In 2024, the Americas were treated to two solar eclipses: a total solar eclipse across North America in April and an annular solar eclipse across South America in October. Extreme solar activity from the Sun also resulted in aurora that stretched to low latitudes across Earth.<\/p>\n
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The Moon\u2019s shadow, or umbra, is pictured covering portions of the Canada and and the U.S. from the ISS soared into the solar eclipse. (Credit: NASA)<\/p>\n
It was a big year for X-ray astronomy, with the Japanese X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) telescope releasing its first images in January. Later in the year, the Einstein Probe and Space Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM) X-ray telescopes were launched. Throughout the year, however, NASA\u2019s Chandra X-ray Observatory faced significant budget cuts that may result in an early end to the telescope\u2019s mission. Outside of X-ray astronomy, the Hubble Space Telescope, James Webb Space Telescope, Euclid wide-angle telescope, and more continued to make groundbreaking observations and discoveries about our universe.<\/p>\n
The momentum from 2024 is expected to continue in 2025, with the launches of several new commercial missions to the Moon, the new SPHEREx telescope, and five new missions to study the Sun and its solar wind. Europa Clipper, Hera, Lucy, and other missions throughout our solar system will complete flybys of planets, asteroids, and moons while Earth experiences total lunar and partial solar eclipses.<\/p>\n
New Moon missions launch, land, and get canceled<\/p>\n
On Jan. 8, Astrobotic\u2019s Peregrine lunar lander launched atop the United Launch Alliance\u2019s (ULA) Vulcan rocket. The lander, capable of delivering up to 100 kg to the lunar surface, was outfitted with several science instruments from NASA and the German Aerospace Center (DLR). In addition, Peregrine carried a rover for Carnegie Mellon University and five small robots for the Mexican Space Agency alongside commemorative payloads from commercial providers.<\/p>\n
While Vulcan\u2019s debut went seamlessly, Peregrine failed to reach the Moon and reentered Earth\u2019s atmosphere instead. Later in the year, Astrobotic\u2019s investigation concluded that a failed helium pressure control valve caused Peregrine\u2019s oxidizer tank to over-pressurize and rupture. The loss of the oxidizer tank prevented Peregrine from reaching its primary objective of landing on the Moon. Despite missing the Moon, Astrobotic still collected valuable data and experience for its upcoming Griffin lander.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n