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European Moon Mission Ready for Launch

Posted by michael on from the green-cheese dept.

merryprankster writes "Europe's first mission to the Moon is set for blast off from Kourou in French Guiana just after midnight, local time, on Sunday. SMART 1 will study the composition of lunar rock through X-ray observations. The probe uses a new solar electric propulsion system which converts solar energy its panels into motion via the expulsion of ions. Details at the ESA mission site."

2 of 357 comments (clear)

  1. We don't mind by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

    I understand you guys were seriously pissed when the Ruskies beat you with the first satelite, living thing, man, women, and moon probe though. Sure, you might have got to the moon first, but by anyones count you lost to the Commies 5 - 1!

  2. Re:Um.. by bigjnsa500 · · Score: 0, Troll

    Typical French, have to do it with "flare". I heard that this thing will take 15 months just to get to the Moon. While American's got there in 3 days. And they call us backwards?

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