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NASA's LCROSS Moon Impact Mission Provides Great Data

Several sources are sending us reports of NASA's recent LCROSS Moon impact mission. While the visual results seem to be less than stunning, LCROSS Principal Investigator Anthony Colaprete said the initial results produced "the data we need," but refused to say anything about "water or no water." "The goal of this dual impact was to have the Centaur upper stage impact first, allowing the LCROSS spacecraft to observe close-up the results of the impact. In fairness, the view from LCROSS as it approached the moon was amazing — even though there was no obvious visual evidence of impact, which early data from the infrared camera on the craft indicates did occur. What happens next is a whole lot of math and science. The LCROSS spacecraft included nine individual science instruments. This suite of instruments consisted of one visible camera, two near-infrared cameras, two mid-infrared cameras, a visible light spectrometer, two near-infrared spectrometers, and a photometer. All nine of those instruments were gathering data simultaneously and streaming that data back to Earth."

13 of 91 comments (clear)

  1. Provides great data? by Kemanorel · · Score: 4, Funny

    For great justice!

    --
    Mess not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup.
  2. Where was the kaboom? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
    There was supposed to be an ice-shattering kaboom!

    Maybe the LRO will show something, because I sure as hell didn't see anything at 4:30 this morning.

  3. We will never colonize the moon by sakdoctor · · Score: 5, Funny

    The moon has a completely insurmountable 1.2 second ping.
    Even if a first generation move to the moon, their kids won't put up with a 1.2+ second ping in halo, and will move back to earth when they are 16.
    So you see, it won't be sustainable.

    1. Re:We will never colonize the moon by Sets_Chaos · · Score: 3, Funny

      What do you think the carbon nanotubes are for? We are going to run those to the moon to drop ping times down to more acceptable level. Everyone know wired is way faster than wireless...

    2. Re:We will never colonize the moon by khallow · · Score: 2, Funny

      Besides the Moon is high ground. Bomb the Earth till they move all the servers up there.

  4. Oblig by russlar · · Score: 2, Funny

    "I have just signed legislation outlawing the Moon. We begin bombing in 5 minutes."

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    Anybody want my mod points?
  5. Re:Why we should blow up the moon... by peragrin · · Score: 3, Funny

    If you listened to the conspiracy idiots recently you would think we did blow up the moon.

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    i thought once I was found, but it was only a dream.
  6. Re:Is it just me by Ethanol-fueled · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's NASA speak for "*sigh*, what the fuck are we even doing?"

  7. A high energy impact with the moon's surface.. by blind+biker · · Score: 2, Funny

    followed by "a whole lot of math and science".

    Pure orgasm.

    --
    "The agriculture ministry is not in charge of Gundam" - Japanese ministry official.
    1. Re:A high energy impact with the moon's surface.. by skine · · Score: 5, Funny

      I think when you mix math and science it's an applied orgasm.

  8. News at 10:00 by Titanarm · · Score: 2, Funny

    Jim: This just in, we have confirmed reports that the two NASA probes that slammed into the moon earlier today have irrevocably changed the moons trajectory in such a way that it will intersect with Earth's. Scientist's calculated that impact will oc

  9. Incomplete Data . . . by PolygamousRanchKid+ · · Score: 2, Funny

    All nine of those instruments were gathering data simultaneously and streaming that data back to Earth.

    Unfortunately, this high volume of data alerted the MPAA/RIAA that copyright theft was in progress, and their lawyers ordered a DMCA take down order to cut off data transmission from the moon. So not all the data was received.

    The Moon must appear in court in order for its data service to be restored.

    --
    Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
  10. Re:After 40 years by PhxBlue · · Score: 2, Funny

    At least they didn't miss!

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    !#@%*)anks for hanging up the phone, dear.