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US lunar probes set to blast off | US lunar probes set to blast off |
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Nasa is set to launch two spacecraft to the Moon in preparation for a return to the lunar surface by US astronauts. | Nasa is set to launch two spacecraft to the Moon in preparation for a return to the lunar surface by US astronauts. |
LRO (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter) and a crater observation mission will lift off from Florida on an Atlas V rocket. | LRO (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter) and a crater observation mission will lift off from Florida on an Atlas V rocket. |
Data gathered by LRO will help mission planners select future landing sites and scout locations for lunar outposts. | Data gathered by LRO will help mission planners select future landing sites and scout locations for lunar outposts. |
The second mission will send a rocket stage crashing into the lunar surface to scour the resulting debris plume for evidence of water ice. | The second mission will send a rocket stage crashing into the lunar surface to scour the resulting debris plume for evidence of water ice. |
The Atlas rocket, carrying both payloads, is scheduled to blast off from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 2212 BST (1712 local time) on Thursday. | The Atlas rocket, carrying both payloads, is scheduled to blast off from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 2212 BST (1712 local time) on Thursday. |
LRO will enter a low polar orbit around the Moon at an altitude of around 50km (31 miles) - the closest any spacecraft has continually orbited Earth's natural satellite. | LRO will enter a low polar orbit around the Moon at an altitude of around 50km (31 miles) - the closest any spacecraft has continually orbited Earth's natural satellite. |
It will map the lunar surface in unprecedented detail and is expected to enhance our understanding of the Moon's topography, mineral composition and lighting conditions. | It will map the lunar surface in unprecedented detail and is expected to enhance our understanding of the Moon's topography, mineral composition and lighting conditions. |
The mission will also seek to characterise the Moon's radiation environment, helping mission planners assess the risks posed to astronauts. | The mission will also seek to characterise the Moon's radiation environment, helping mission planners assess the risks posed to astronauts. |
The second mission, the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS), consists of two elements: a shepherding spacecraft and a Centaur upper stage rocket. | The second mission, the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS), consists of two elements: a shepherding spacecraft and a Centaur upper stage rocket. |
After being guided to a permanently shadowed region of the Moon by its shepherding spacecraft, the Centaur rocket separates. | After being guided to a permanently shadowed region of the Moon by its shepherding spacecraft, the Centaur rocket separates. |
Hitting the Moon at around 9,000 km/h (5,580 mph), it will kick up a huge plume of debris. | Hitting the Moon at around 9,000 km/h (5,580 mph), it will kick up a huge plume of debris. |
The shepherding spacecraft will then analyse this plume, using its instruments to search for water ice and vapour, hydrocarbons and hydrated materials. | The shepherding spacecraft will then analyse this plume, using its instruments to search for water ice and vapour, hydrocarbons and hydrated materials. |
Any natural reserves of water will figure prominently in planning for future manned lunar bases. | Any natural reserves of water will figure prominently in planning for future manned lunar bases. |
The US space agency hopes to send astronauts back to the Moon by 2020 for the first manned visit since 1972. | The US space agency hopes to send astronauts back to the Moon by 2020 for the first manned visit since 1972. |
However, the Obama administration has ordered a sweeping independent review of Nasa's manned spaceflight strategy, which could potentially set the agency on a different course. |