See May's full 'Flower Moon' bloom in gorgeous photos from around the world

The Flower Moon will be followed by a rare full Blue Moon on May 31.

Lunar exploration and research continue to be priorities for space agencies worldwide as humanity prepares to establish a sustained presence on the Moon. The Moon offers unique scientific opportunities and serves as a proving ground for technologies needed for Mars missions and beyond.

Recent discoveries of water ice in permanently shadowed craters and potential resources in lunar regolith have renewed interest in establishing permanent lunar bases. These resources could support life support systems, provide rocket propellant, and reduce the cost of deep space exploration by eliminating the need to launch everything from Earth.

International lunar programs emphasize cooperation, resource sharing, and the establishment of common standards for sustainable exploration. The Artemis Accords and similar frameworks aim to ensure that lunar activities benefit all of humanity while establishing precedents for responsible space resource utilization.