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Lunar Composition Examined By X-Ray

Posted by timothy on from the cheese-tumors dept.

whovian writes "Chandra, the x-ray observatory launched by NASA in 1999, is being used to study the composition of Earth's moon, perhaps putting an end to the age-old question, "Is the moon really made out of cheese?" 'Nuff said. The original press release is starting to get noticed here(1), here(2) and here(3). A neat idea, if you ask me, but will this postpone any manned lunar missions?"

2 of 23 comments (clear)

  1. Manned Mission Should only be used if Necessary by bhima · · Score: 2, Insightful
    Honestly I like the of space travel as much as anyone but manned missions should be limited to those which require people. Otherwise let unmanned missions send data. I wonder how pathfinder missions could performed instead of one failed shuttle mission. (Including the effects of bad press).

    But I'd rather see a space elevator than anything these days (short of a manned Mars Mission of course!)

    --
    Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.
  2. It won't postpone any manned lunar missions... by mraymer · · Score: 2, Insightful
    But, at least in the United States, lack of public interest and the cost will. I think space.com's article on why we need a space program was very insightful.

    I also think that this is one those times where my sig fits in nicely.

    --

    "To confine our attention to terrestrial matters would be to limit the human spirit." -Stephen Hawking