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Friday June 19, 2009
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The return to the moon is officially underway: NASA has launched its Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to take a comprehensive survey of the moon, according to CNN. NASA officials described the launch as a "flawless" liftoff from Cape Canaveral in Florida at 5:32 p.m. ET yesterday. The orbiter launched aboard an Atlas V Rocket powered by two liquid-fueled engines and a pair of solid-fueled boosters, the report said. The orbiter will collect data and send it back to Earth. Scientists here will then use the data in designing and building an eventual permanent lunar outpost on the moon's surface.
Among the kinds of data the orbiter will send include day-night temperature maps, color imaging, UV reflection, and a study of areas of the moon that "may have continuous access to sunlight and where water may exist." In addition, NASA is hoping the orbiter will help locate safe landing sites and moon resources, and uncover more data about how the moon's radiation environment would affect humans in an extended stay, according to the article.
Posted By:
Jamie Lendino
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June 19, 2009 1:08 PM
I'm so glad to see so much space tech here these days. :D
This is really cool news as well - it's been a while since we paid good solid attention to the moon, I guess we just take it for granted. :)
June 19, 2009 8:20 PM
H00b1e says,
W3LL, th3 n1c3 th1n9 a60ut th3 m00n 15 that w3 d0n't hav3 t0 w0rry a60ut 9L06aL warm1n9. Th3 am0unt 0f wat3r w3 c0uLd f1nd w1LL n0t b3 3n0u9h t0 fL00d a Lunar Manhattan.
June 22, 2009 4:30 PM
Hoping for some updated shots of Tranquility Base. Would love to see new pics of it !!!