Before astronauts arrive, these hopping drones will scout the Moon

<div class="feat-image"><img src="https://spaceexplored.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/moonfall-9-1-1.jpg?quality=82&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1600" /></div><p class="wp-block-paragraph">For decades, lunar exploration was defined by astronauts, rovers, and orbiters. But as NASA pushes deeper into the Artemis era, a new class of robotic explorer is quietly emerging, one that could significantly change how humanity navigates the <a href="https://spaceexplored.com/guides/moon/">Moon</a>: small autonomous hopping drones.</p>