Europeans to Look for Water on Moon, Using New Satellite
A satellite that relies on solar power to put it into orbit around the moon has been unveiled by the European Space Agency, which plans to use the spacecraft in Europe’s first attempt at a lunar exploration.
The Smart-1 craft is set to be launched in July for a two-year mission orbiting the moon to look for water, believed to be hidden deep in craters on the lunar surface.
The satellite will also gather evidence to test the theory that the moon was created when a giant asteroid struck Earth.
Weighing just 815 pounds and costing $108 million, the craft is part of a European strategy to build spaceships smaller and more cheaply than NASA has done.
Smart-1’s solar-powered engines provide only a minuscule thrust, but can be run over a much longer period than the traditional chemical rocket thrusters used by earlier spacecraft.
Scientists at the European agency believe the engines will be a key to making longer space voyages.
After its launch, it will take Smart-1 three months to maneuver into orbit with the moon.
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