Earth Satellites and NASA Hunting for Moon Water
The LA Times spread news today of that NASA managers on Monday decided to move back the scheduled launch of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and moon mapping mission to no earlier than Thursday.
The combination orbiter probe and earth satellite comprises the beginning of a Nasa mission to get humans back to the moon by 2020. The orbiter will satellite map the moon in a detail oriented way that has ever been attempted. It does this by searching out the sites showing the most potential for a future lunar colony and similar earth from space idea. Basically the satellite map is looking for ice or other things humans can use if they were to move in. In doing this the earth satellite will aim an empty rocket toward a crater on the moon’s south pole. The crash will send debris into the lunar surface. Before actually hitting the moon, the satellite will fly through the small moon pieces, taking measurements in hopes of finding evidence of water. Water is deemed most valuable not only because it would save colonists from having to lug it from Earth, but also because it could be broken down into oxygen and hydrogen for use in respiration as well as rocket fuel.
When you think of it, living in space would certainly make all Americans at least feel lighter, so it’s ironicly fitting our ever enlarging overweight population. I just want to know which airline decides to fly to the moon, one return trip and you’d hold platnium status for the amount of miles you need to travel to get there!
