# Introducing IBM and NASA's new foundation model for the Moon

DevFeed: [Introducing IBM and NASA's new foundation model for the Moon](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/introducing-ibm-and-nasa-s-new-foundation-model-for-the-moon-17342.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://research.ibm.com/blog/nasa-ibm-lunar-foundation-model>)

Author: Kim Martineau

Published: 2026-09-10T12:30:00Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [IBM Research](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/ibm-research.md>)

Topics: [lunar foundation model](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/lunar-foundation-model.md>), [ibm](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/ibm.md>), [foundation-models](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/foundation-models.md>), [data](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/data.md>), [Artificial Intelligence](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/ai.md>), [AI Architecture](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/ai-architecture.md>)

Tags: [accelerated-discovery](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/accelerated-discovery.md>), [ai](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ai.md>), [ai-architecture](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ai-architecture.md>), [algorithms](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/algorithms.md>), [ibm](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ibm.md>), [lunar-foundation-model](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/lunar-foundation-model.md>), [mapping](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/mapping.md>), [model](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/model.md>), [nasa](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/nasa.md>), [release](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/release.md>), [science](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/science.md>), [space](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/space.md>), [us](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/us.md>)

## AI overview

IBM and NASA are open-sourcing the NASA-IBM Lunar Foundation Model, a multimodal AI model that integrates lunar observations from US and Japanese missions across viewing angles, spatial scales, and measurement types. The model is intended to support lunar mapping, volcanic-history research, and searches for polar ice.

## Source excerpt

The multi-modal model could help astronauts navigate craters, investigate ancient lava, and search for ice, as the US plans for a long-term lunar presence.