NASA's Lunar Trailblazer set to launch in January 2025 to support Moon exploration

NASA's Lunar Trailblazer mission is set to launch in January 2025, ahead of the Artemis II mission planned for April 2026. Trailblazer will gather data on lunar water and resources, crucial for future human exploration. The mission will use two instruments to analyze the Moon's surface temperature and water composition. This data will help scientists understand how water exists in different forms on the Moon and its potential origins. Lunar Trailblazer is part of NASA's Small, Innovative Mission for Planetary Exploration program, which aims to conduct cost-effective scientific missions. The project is slightly over budget at $80 million but remains significantly cheaper than typical NASA missions.