NASA launches explorer to moon
Print Edition
NASA’s newest robotic explorer rocketed into space late on Friday in an unprecedented moonshot from Virginia that dazzled sky watchers along the United States East Coast.
But the LADEE spacecraft quickly ran into equipment trouble, and while NASA assured everyone early yesterday that the lunar probe was safe and on a perfect track for the moon, officials admitted the problem needs to be resolved in the next two to three weeks.
Peter Worden, director of NASA’s Ames Research Center in California, which developed the spacecraft, said he’s confident everything will be working properly in the next few days.
LADEE’s reaction wheels were turned on to orient and stabilize the spacecraft, which was spinning too fast after it separated from the final rocket stage, Worden said. But the computer automatically shut the wheels down, apparently because of excess current.
The LADEE spacecraft, which is charged with studying the lunar atmosphere and dust, soared aboard an unmanned Minotaur rocket a little before midnight. “Godspeed on your journey to the moon, LADEE,” Launch Control said.
It was a change of venue for NASA, which normally launches moon missions from Cape Canaveral, Florida. But it provided a rare light show along the East Coast for those blessed with clear skies.
The Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer, or LADEE, is taking a roundabout path to the moon, making three huge laps around Earth before getting close enough to pop into lunar orbit.
Unlike the quick three-day Apollo flights to the moon, LADEE will need a full month to reach Earth’s closest neighbor. LADEE, which is the size of a small car, is expected to reach the moon on October 6.
Scientists want to learn the composition of the moon’s ever-so-delicate atmosphere and how it might change over time. Another puzzle, dating back decades, is whether dust actually levitates from the lunar surface. The US$280 million moon-orbiting mission will last six months and end with a suicide plunge into the moon for LADEE.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 娌狪CP璇侊細娌狪CP澶05050403鍙-1
- |
- 浜掕仈缃戞柊闂讳俊鎭湇鍔¤鍙瘉锛31120180004
- |
- 缃戠粶瑙嗗惉璁稿彲璇侊細0909346
- |
- 骞挎挱鐢佃鑺傜洰鍒朵綔璁稿彲璇侊細娌瓧绗354鍙
- |
- 澧炲肩數淇′笟鍔＄粡钀ヨ鍙瘉锛氭勃B2-20120012
Copyright 漏 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
