China Is Sending BALLS to the Moon for a First-of-Its-Kind Space Experiment to Detect Signals Earth Cannot Hear

The mission’s Bounced African Low Lunar Sphere (BALLS) probes are designed to create a small lunar radio astronomy array near the moon’s south pole. The three spherical probes will serve as a technology demonstrator, testing methods for future lunar science missions. A Lunar Radio Array Designed To Study Hidden Cosmic SignalsThe BALLS probes will work together as a radio astronomy array after deployment on the lunar surface. Scheduled for launch in 2029, the Chinese lunar mission will provide the opportunity for the African technology demonstrator to reach the moon. The BALLS probes will act as pathfinder hardware, testing technologies needed for future lunar radio astronomy experiments.