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Four astronauts, three men and one woman (second from right), rest their hands on the handles of short shovels that are planted in dirt. They surround a small tree sapling that has bright green leaves.
NASA/Aubrey Gemignani

NASA astronauts Victor Glover (left), Reid Wiseman (middle left), and Christina Koch (middle right), and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen (right), pose for a photo after a Moon Tree dedication ceremony, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at the United States Capitol in Washington. The American Sweetgum tree pictured was grown from a seed that was flown around the Moon during the Artemis I mission.

Moon Trees originated with the Apollo 14 mission, when NASA astronaut Stuart Roosa carried tree seeds into lunar orbit. In a nod to the legacy of Apollo 14, and a celebration of the future of space exploration with NASA’s Artemis Program, a “new generation” of Moon Tree seeds traveled into lunar orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft. The seeds travelled thousands of miles beyond the Moon, spending about 4 weeks in space before returning to Earth. Organizations from across the United States will receive the seedlings and plant them in their communities.

Image Credit: NASA/Aubrey Gemignani

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      News Media Contacts
      DC Agle
      Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
      818-393-9011
      agle@jpl.nasa.gov
      Karen Fox / Erin Morton
      NASA Headquarters, Washington
      202-385-1287 / 202-805-9393
      karen.c.fox@nasa.gov / erin.morton@nasa.gov
      Deb Schmid
      Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio
      210-522-2254
      dschmid@swri.org
      2024-173
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      Last Updated Dec 12, 2024 Related Terms
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      Meira Bernstein / Elizabeth Shaw / María José Viñas
      Sede, Washington
      202-358-1600
      meira.b.bernstein@nasa.gov / elizabeth.a.shaw@nasa.gov / maria-jose.vinasgarcia@nasa.gov
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      Last Updated Dec 11, 2024 LocationNASA Headquarters View the full article
    • By NASA
      9 Min Read Artemis in Motion Listening Sessions
      The Earth and Moon appear side by side off in the distance while the Orion crew module is in the foreground. Credits: NASA Through Artemis in Motion Sessions, NASA Seeks Moon Storytelling Ideas
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      As NASA pioneers new technologies and methods for storytelling in space for the benefit of humanity, the agency is hosting Artemis in Motion listening sessions with industry on Thursday, Jan. 23, and Friday, Jan. 24, in Los Angeles.
      From the live TV images of humanity’s first steps on the Moon in July of 1969 to the July 2024 two-way 4k transmissions between the International Space Station and an airborne platform, NASA and its partners work on the frontiers of the media landscape to share historic achievements in space exploration.
      As part of its Artemis campaign, NASA will land the next American astronauts and first international astronaut on the Moon, explore more of the Moon than ever before, and more.
      Through NASA’s listening sessions, invited participants will learn about the agency’s work to tell the Artemis Generation’s lunar exploration story, and discuss new opportunities to highlight the agency’s work.
      Today’s advances in technology, storytelling, and production make it possible to share the experience of landing, living, and working on the Moon in ways never before possible. NASA wants to hear how participants would share the extraordinary story of sustained human presence and exploration throughout the solar system, which is rooted across three balanced pillars of science, inspiration, and national posture.
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      Overview
      With the Artemis campaign, NASA is returning to the Moon to discover the unknown, advance technology, and to learn how to live and work on another world as we prepare for human missions to Mars.
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      NASA and its commercial partners will have integrated cameras on human landing systems and spacesuits, as well as each astronaut carrying their own handheld camera. But we know the modern age offers many creative ways to share these moments, ways to let each of us “ride along” with the crew. NASA is calling on media producers and distributors, studios, imagery companies, space companies, academia, and other interested parties to share their ideas directly with NASA leadership.
      Each participant will be asked to make a 30-minute presentation to be delivered in a one-on-one session to the NASA team. Concepts should focus on the Artemis III-V missions (for more on each Artemis missions see NASA’s Moon to Mars Architecture), particularly the time they will spend on the lunar surface. NASA has particular interest in information that informs three key questions:
      What could supplement NASA’s planned acquisition, communication, distribution, etc. of lunar imagery? (See the FAQ section for an overview of our current plans.) What could be done with the video, photography, and telemetry from the mission(s) to creatively share the return of humans to the Moon in unique and compelling ways? How could NASA collaborate with your organization to help NASA tell the story of Artemis in a unique way? There are no associated activities (e.g., procurement, cooperative agreement, Space Act agreement, etc.) planned at this time.
      Session Details
      Beyond the in-person events already planned and depending on demand, NASA may offer additional virtual sessions the week of February 3rd. The agency also is engaging the entertainment community through a private panel presentation at the Motion Picture Academy.
      If space allows, participants will be invited to attend an information session on the Artemis campaign and its motion imagery opportunities the morning of Jan. 23. We will provide more information on the optional briefing upon RSVP.
      Organizations interested in booking a listening session should email their request to: hq-dl-artemis-in-motion@mail.nasa.gov with the following information by Monday, Jan. 13:
      Organization name Participant name(s) – limit to three Point of contact email and phone number Request for in-person or virtual session NASA will set the session schedule and contact organizations directly to confirm all details. No slide decks or digital presentations are permitted during the sessions, although you may bring printed materials.
      Please do not share confidential or proprietary information during the sessions. We will not record the sessions, however, NASA staff may take notes.
      For more information on the Artemis in Motion listening sessions, please read our FAQ section below. You may send additional questions or requests for guidance on your presentation to hq-dl-artemis-in-motion@mail.nasa.gov. Please note we may add your questions to the FAQ below if deemed helpful to other participants.
      Artemis in Motion Listening Sessions FAQ
      Q: Does NASA have any specific opportunities it is seeking ideas for?
      A: NASA is looking to explore the art of the possible in ideas that supplement, improve, or expand the use of imagery from the lunar surface, and will accept any information on ideas that forward the story of Artemis and that adheres with NASA’s principles. The following list of potential opportunities are examples of what may interest the listening team. These are examples only and not meant to restrict the scope of presentations.
      A deployable or separately landed camera system for third-person point-of-view imagery from the lunar surface.
      A deployable or separately landed camera system for third-person point-of-view imagery from the lunar surface. Non-traditional imagery options including virtual reality, augmented reality, and similar immersive technologies. Collaboration with the NASA+ team to stream a live event to a very large audience. A TV series or production leading up to and around the Artemis missions. An efficient, space-rated encoder to transmit live, high-quality video from the HULC (Handheld Universal Lunar Camera), a ruggedized version of the Nikon Z9. Processing techniques to increase data throughput or recall for ground operations. An approach to increasing the bandwidth available to downlink more or higher quality videos. Q: What sources of imagery does NASA already plan to have on the lunar surface?
      A: NASA expects to have access to at least three sources of imagery on the lunar surface:
      External and internal video cameras mounted on the Human Landing System. A video camera mounted on each astronaut suit, providing the perspective of the crew members during EVA. The HULC (a modified Nikon Z 9) that will be carried by each crew member to provide real-time photography. These sources will offer a variety of perspectives, including live video up to UHD resolution. Video will be standard 16:9 format; there are no current plans for stereoscopic video, 360-degree cameras, or spatial video/audio.
      NASA currently plans to stream live content via its NASA+ platform as an over-the-top service, as well as provide a backhaul feed to the media. It will also archive and release the photography and video, including any imagery returned from the Moon later with the crew.
      Q: How would additional imagery be routed on the Moon and back to Earth?
      A: NASA imagery will be routed through the Human Landing System and then downlinked to Earth via the Deep Space Network (DSN). Equipment on the surface of the Moon will transmit imagery to the Human Landing System via Wi-Fi; Artemis III may also include a development test objective for a 4G/LTE connection. We expect limited data bandwidth for any non-critical video links, ranging from single-digit to low double-digit megabits per second. It could be possible for solutions to support increased bandwidth by supporting downlink direct to Earth or through a lunar relay system.
      Q: What is the weight limit for new systems brought to the Moon?
      A: While there isn’t a specific weight limit, additional imagery systems ideally are low in mass, size, weight, power, and bandwidth due to the limited capacity for the early Artemis missions.
      Q: Can an organization propose a production or solution for which they would have exclusive rights?
      A: NASA has previously entered into content agreements with organizations that involve some level of exclusivity. However, NASA seeks to benefit all humanity and especially desires solutions that can be shared with the widest possible audience.
      Q: Can an organization propose a production that involves content before and after the mission such as content with crew members?
      A: Yes. NASA expects the story of a mission to not just include the time on the Moon, but the launch and splashdown; the story of the Artemis campaign to not just include the mission itself but the engineering, the training, the uncrewed test flights, and their impact.
      Q: Are listening sessions open to organizations outside the United States?
      A: Yes, participation by international entities is encouraged. International space agencies interested in discussing opportunities are encouraged to reach out directly to hq-dl-artemis-in-motion@mail.nasa.gov.
      Q: Can NASA help certify or design the hardware for use on the Lunar Surface?
      A: Any hardware would need to meet the NASA interface and safety requirements to fly. The specifics of those interfaces, as well as the possibility of NASA support in meeting them, would be discussed in any follow-on discussions or solicitations. (As a reminder, NASA is also interested in concepts that do not require providing and flying new hardware.)
      Q: Must any solution be completely autonomously operated or could it link to a suit or the Human Landing System for data and power and/or be operated by a crew member?
      A: A solution could provide its own communication system or it could route data transmission to and through the Human Landing System, which could be done via Wi-Fi (Artemis III may also include a development test objective for a 4G/LTE connection). Routing data through or getting power from the suit is likely to not be a feasible option. Crew may be able to set up a camera on the lunar surface, but crew time is too constrained to expect the crew to continue to operate the camera. Human Landing System support for providing power for or exchanging commands with a payload would need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
      Q: Will information from the presentations be shared?
      A: NASA does not intend to share information from the individual sessions outside of the agency.
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      Last Updated Dec 11, 2024 EditorBill Keeter Related Terms
      Office of Technology, Policy and Strategy (OTPS) View the full article
    • By NASA
      NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, left, and U.S. Department of State Acting Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Jennifer R. Littlejohn, right, look on as Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to the United States of America Petra Schneebauer, signs the Artemis Accords, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. The Republic of Austria is the 50th country to sign the Artemis Accords, which establish a practical set of principles to guide space exploration cooperation among nations participating in NASA’s Artemis program. Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky
      Lee esta nota de prensa en español aquí.
      Panama and Austria signed the Artemis Accords Wednesday during separate signing ceremonies at NASA Headquarters in Washington, becoming the 49th and 50th nations to commit to the responsible exploration of space for all humanity.
      “NASA welcomes Panama and Austria to the Artemis Accords community and celebrates 50 countries united by shared principles for the safe and responsible exploration of space,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said. “More than ever before, NASA is opening space to more nations and more people for the benefit of all. Together we are building long-term and peaceful deep space exploration for the Artemis Generation.”
      In just a few years, the original group of eight country signatories including the United States has multiplied, with 17 countries signings in 2024. More than a number, the Artemis Accords represent a robust community, from every region of the world, unified by the same goal: to ensure safe and responsible civil space exploration.  
      Through the Artemis Accords, the United States and other signatories are progressing toward continued safe and sustainable exploration of space with concrete outcomes. They committed to a method of operation and set of recommendations on non-interference, interoperability, release of scientific data, long-term sustainability guidelines, and registration to advance the implementation of the Artemis Accords. 
      Potential focus areas for the next year include further advancing sustainability, including debris management for both lunar orbit and the surface of the Moon. 
      Austria Joins Artemis Accords
      Petra Schneebauer, ambassador of the Republic of Austria to the United States, signed the accords on behalf of Austria, becoming the 50th country signatory.
      “Austria is proud to sign the Artemis Accords, an important step in fostering international cooperation for the civil exploration of the Moon and expanding humanity’s presence in the cosmos,” said Schneebauer. “By signing the Accords, we reaffirm our commitment to the peaceful, responsible, and cooperative use of space while emphasizing our support for strong multilateral partnerships and scientific progress. This cooperation will open new prospects for Austrian businesses, scientists, and research institutions to engage in pioneering space initiatives.”
      Jennifer Littlejohn, acting assistant secretary, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, U.S. Department of State, also participated in Austria’s signing event.
      Panama Joins Artemis Accords
      Earlier Wednesday, Nelson hosted Panama for a signing ceremony. José Miguel Alemán Healy, ambassador of the Republic of Panama to the United States, signed the Artemis Accords on behalf of Panama. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Tony Fernandes for U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs also participated in the event.
      NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, left, Ambassador of the Republic of Panama to the United States of America José Miguel Alemán Healy, center, and U.S. Department of State Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Tony Fernandes, pose for a picture after the Republic of Panama signed the Artemis Accords, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. The Republic of Panama is the 49th country to sign the Artemis Accords, which establish a practical set of principles to guide space exploration cooperation among nations participating in NASA’s Artemis program. Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky “Today, Panama takes its place among many other nations looking not just to our own horizons, but to the horizons beyond our planet – exploring, learning, and contributing to humanity’s collective knowledge,” said Alemán.”This moment represents far more than a diplomatic signature. It is a bold commitment to peaceful exploration, scientific discovery, and international collaboration.”
      In 2020, the United States, led by NASA with the U.S. Department of State, and seven other initial signatory nations established the Artemis Accords, identifying a set of principles promoting the beneficial use of space for humanity.
      The Artemis Accords are grounded in the Outer Space Treaty and other agreements including the Registration Convention, the Rescue and Return Agreement, as well as best practices and norms of responsible behavior that NASA and its partners have supported, including the public release of scientific data.   
      The accords are a voluntary commitment to engage in safe, transparent, responsible behavior in space, and any nation that wants to commit to those values is welcome to sign.
      Learn more about the Artemis Accords at:
      https://www.nasa.gov/artemis-accords
      -end-
      Meira Bernstein / Elizabeth Shaw
      Headquarters, Washington
      202-358-1600
      meira.b.bernstein@nasa.gov / elizabeth.a.shaw@nasa.gov
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      Last Updated Dec 11, 2024 LocationNASA Headquarters Related Terms
      Bill Nelson Office of International and Interagency Relations (OIIR) View the full article
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