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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."

6 of 172 comments (clear)

  1. Fist Sport! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Yet another Euro-Space failure, like Beagle 2.

    GET THE FUCK OUT OF OUR SPACE, LIMEYS!

  2. 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)

  3. British-made detectors? by Gordonjcp · · Score: -1, Troll

    Does that mean that once it gets into lunar orbit it will piss oil then flatten its batteries despite nothing being left switched on?

  4. 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.

  5. It's Destiny by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    I agree with your comment, but it has to be acknowledged that history has proven again and again that it is the Destiny of the US to conquer space and be at the top.

    Consider whose probes actually was successful in reaching Mars the most? US. Most of Russian attempts were failures. Even the recent Beage 2 proves the point.

    Has anyone sent probes like Voyager and Cassini and such high profile missions with any levels of success? (Cassini was a success, but, Huygens (the ESA part) is yet to be seen.)

    Also check out Bush. He made it very clear that it is his Destiny to be the President of the US of A. And he has been proven right again.

    While everyone was being cowardly and foolish, he was the only one to be bold and wise enough to say:

    If you are not with us, you are with the terrorists.

    ...and rid the world of weapons of mass destruction and abominable terrorists.

  6. 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 ....