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LCROSS Team Changes Target Crater For Impact

Posted by kdawson on from the illuminated-ejecta dept.

Matt_dk sends word that NASA has chosen a new target crater into which to crash the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) mission vehicles. "The decision means that when NASA's LCROSS probe and its spent Centaur rocket stage slam into the moon on Oct. 9, they will crash into the large crater Cabeus, and not the nearby (and smaller) Cabeus A crater that was previously targeted. ... The data suggests the new target Cabeus has a concentration of hydrogen — an indication of possible water ice — that's higher than anywhere else at the lunar south pole. ... A small valley etched into the otherwise tall crater ridge of Cabeus should allow sunlight to shine on the ejecta cloud kicked up when LCROSS and its Centaur rocket stage crash into the moon in successive impacts."

5 of 39 comments (clear)

  1. Attention, Tinfoil Hat Wearers by hyades1 · · Score: 4, Funny

    No doubt the alternate target was chosen in order to destroy evidence of alien ruins before improved telescope technology falls into the hands of average people. Hey, a guy just got a picture of the space station and shuttle from his back yard, right? That's almost as far away as the moon, isn't it?

    --
    I've calculated my velocity with such exquisite precision that I have no idea where I am.
    1. Re:Attention, Tinfoil Hat Wearers by siddesu · · Score: 2, Funny

      Not really, the aliens removed all their shit in the late 50s. Besides, theirs was on the dark side of the moon, they used periscopes protruding across the terminator to watch us.

      The current project's goal is more modest -- is to blow up the alleged "moon landing" sites. That is how they will explain to us why there are no astronaut footprints. They will look at you and seriously say "Our subsequent moon research projects covered up the tracks".

  2. Wait a minute... that's _MY_ crater! by jamesh · · Score: 2, Funny

    They can't do that. I purchased that crater over the internet. I paid good money for it and I have the deed to prove it.

  3. Re:Why not remotely? by plastbox · · Score: 2, Funny

    I r in ur lab obseervin ur scoeps, k thx bai!

  4. Re:Still too much money by Kagura · · Score: 2, Funny

    We've done these kinds of "impact" missions on Mars several times, generating a large dust cloud each time. The only difference is this time something will be watching/analyzing the dust cloud.......... ;)