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Ion Rocket to Map Moon with X-Rays

Posted by CmdrTaco on

jralls writes "The Guardian is reporting that a European ion-rocket has taken the last year to reach the moon and is about to enter lunar orbit. Once it slows and gets into a very low orbit, it will probe the surface with x-rays in an effort to solve the long standing puzzle of the moon's origin."

3 of 172 comments (clear)

  1. Unfortunately... by jmcmunn · · Score: 0, Troll


    Unfortunately, when this rocket left earth a decade ago, digital photography wasn't around so they were forced to use 35mm film onboard to map the surface. This means we will have to wait for the rocket to make its 20 year return to earth before seeing any results.

    (yes I know they don't use 35mm film or your typical kodak digital camera on these space vehicles, so don't bother telling me)

  2. Re:Visibile from Earth? by bsharitt · · Score: 1, Troll

    If we used some sort of higher powered rocket to generate the velocity, I wonder if ion rockets could hold that velocity for a long time.

  3. Re:A year to reach the moon? by bob+in+ny · · Score: 0, Troll

    Somebody should have said that this is really Very Funny! Especially Funny. I'll be they are mostly French Ions, and you know ....