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A NASA test just proved GPS signals can be picked up on the moon
NASA and the Italian Space Agency say they have broken the record for the farthest detection of Earth-based navigation signals from 243,000 miles away in space.
The test was among 10 experiments the U.S. space agency sent aboard the Blue Ghost moon lander, a private spacecraft built by Texas-based Firefly Aerospace. The uncrewed robotic lander softly touched down on the moon on March 2. A few hours after that landing, the receiver picked up and tracked signals again from the lunar surface — a first-time achievement.
Called Lunar GNSS Receiver Experiment, or LuGRE, the demonstration has proven that a spacecraft on the moon or flying in lunar orbit could detect GPS and other navigation signals from Earth. This breakthrough could make future Artemis missions easier, allowing spaceships carrying astronauts to independently determine their location and speed as they approach the moon.
“This is a very exciting discovery for lunar navigation,” said Kevin Coggins, deputy associate administrator for NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation Program, in a statement, “and we hope to leverage this capability for future missions.”
Engineers examine Lunar GNSS Receiver Experiment, or LuGRE, hardware in a clean room.
Credit: Firefly Aerospace
For the general public, it may seem odd that spacecraft continue to crash or keel over on the lunar surface, though the first soft moon landing occurred six decades ago. But landing on the moon remains onerous. The moon’s exosphere provides virtually no drag to slow a spacecraft down. And there’s the fact that everything is about six times tippier there than on Earth. Furthermore, there are no GPS systems on or around the moon to help guide a ship to its landing spot, which could be riddled with treacherous craters.
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Normally, engineers track spacecraft using signals from stations on Earth, along with sensors on the spacecraft themselves. The LuGRE experiment has shown that future landings might not require as much reliance on people in mission control if distant spacecraft can use Earth’s navigation signals autonomously.
These navigation signals refer to radio signals sent from satellites in Earth’s Global Navigation Satellite System, which includes GPS used in the United States and Galileo, a similar system used in Europe. The signals contain information about a satellite’s location and the exact time it was sent. Smartphones, cars, and airplanes receive these signals, and the directions they provide have become an indispensable part of everyday life.
The Earth-orbiting satellites don’t just send signals straight down to the ground but far into space. The question was just how far they could reach and still be helpful. The previous record holder for signal acquisition was 209,900 miles from Earth, a feat achieved by NASA’s Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission.
Given that the signals are significantly weaker at a quarter-million miles from Earth — and come from satellites that weren’t designed for lunar navigation — they aren’t a permanent solution for the problem. In the future, a system of satellites orbiting the moon could provide stronger and more reliable navigation service.
But for now, engineers are excited about the advancement and what it could mean for a potential lunar economy. Mining for lunar water alone could be a $206 billion industry over the next 30 years, according to Watts, Griffis, and McOuat, a geological and mining consulting firm. In order for the space between Earth and the moon to host such an industry, though, navigation improvements are critical.
The LuGRE experiment was a team effort between NASA, its Italian counterpart, and some industry groups, including Qascom and Politecnico di Torino. The receiver was the first Italian-built hardware to operate on the moon, and the study won’t just benefit the United States and Italy, but anyone headed to the moon. The partners intend to make their data public.
“A project like LuGRE isn’t about NASA alone,” said Lauren Konitzer, a NASA navigation and mission design engineer, in a statement. “We’re sharing our discoveries with the world.”
Entertainment
Best Mothers Day gifts: Show mom some love
Mother figures are the backbone of the world. Yours may be your biological mother, or maybe she’s your mother-in-law, your best friend’s mom, or simply someone whose motherly instinct has helped you through hard times.
Moms teach you the adulting necessities, give advice even if the problem is your fault, and above all, they put up with your shit and (almost) never complain.
The game plan here isn’t just to snag the last bouquet at CVS just so you’re not the kid who forgot Mother’s Day (but definitely also get flowers). And you don’t even need to spend a lot of money. (Peep our list of Mother’s Day gifts that cost less than $50. Want even more cheap gift ideas?
Skip the generic mugs and show your appreciation with a gift picked just for her: Whether it’s something to make a part of her life easier, something she’s mentioned wanting in passing, or simply something to make her feel like a damn queen, you can’t put a price on everything she’s done for you, but heartfelt gifts certainly help.
After all, they say “No matter how hard you try, you always end up like your mother.” But is that even a bad thing?
Entertainment
Ban subscriptions and get Microsoft Office 2024 for life for just £121
TL;DR: Grab Microsoft Office 2024 Home and Business for PC or Mac for just £120.54 through June 1.
You wouldn’t keep paying for Netflix if you could own your favorite shows, right? So why are you still subscribing to Office apps you use every day? Microsoft 365’s price keeps going up, but there’s finally a way to break free — and it’ll cost you way less in the long run.
Microsoft Office 2024 is the answer you’ve been looking for. Instead of monthly payments, simply pay £120.54 once and be set for life (reg. £188.37). It’s that simple. And, yes, this lifetime download works for PC or Mac.
What’s included?
This license comes with:
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Word
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Excel
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PowerPoint
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Outlook
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OneNote
The newest version of Microsoft Office is a little different from Microsoft 365. But just because you’re switching to a lifetime license doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on some of the most recent updates. Word and Excel both still have AI integrations for text suggestions and smart data analysis, and PowerPoint still has improved tools for recorded presentations.
Once you’ve redeemed your purchase, you can install your apps on one computer. After that, they’re yours to use however you want. No more subscription fees or sudden price hikes to worry about.
Why rent when you can own?
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Get a Microsoft Office lifetime license on sale for £120.54 with no coupon needed.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Entertainment
Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 9, 2025
Oh hey there! If you’re here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we’re serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today’s answer.
If you just want to be told today’s word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today’s Wordle solution revealed. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
Where did Wordle come from?
Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What’s the best Wordle starting word?
The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?
The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website’s creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?
It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn’t any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle‘s Hard Mode if you’re after more of a challenge, though.
Here’s a subtle hint for today’s Wordle answer:
Gibberish.
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Does today’s Wordle answer have a double letter?
There are no recurring letters.
Today’s Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…
Today’s Wordle starts with the letter T.
The Wordle answer today is…
Get your last guesses in now, because it’s your final chance to solve today’s Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today’s Wordle is…
TRIPE.
Don’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today’s Strands.
Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Wordle.
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Best Mothers Day gifts: Show mom some love
