Joe Palca is a science correspondent for NPR. Since joining NPR in 1992, Palca has covered a range of science topics — everything from biomedical research to astronomy. He is currently focused on the eponymous series, "Joe's Big Idea." Stories in the series explore the minds and motivations of scientists and inventors. Palca is also the founder of NPR Scicommers – A science communication collective.
A rocket is scheduled to launch next year that will take along a robotic probe to orbit the moon. The probe is expected to provide details of how much water there is on the moon and where it is.