New Moon Mission

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Discussion

Eric Mc

Original Poster:

122,110 posts

266 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
Although I've posted a heads up on this in the "Space Shuttle Launch" thread in the "Boats, Trains & Planes" forum, I fear it will only get a small audience over there. I'm not even sure what type of audience it might get here in the "News" forum. This is where the eclectic nature of the old P&P really scored.

In any case - NASA's latest probe to the moon is arriving there just after lunchtime today and the probe will be sending back LIVE streaming video as it swings past the edge of the moon prior to entering lunar orbit. The video can be seen live at

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LCROSS/lunarswin...

Mods - please keep this here if at all possible.

elster

17,517 posts

211 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
Thanks for that Eric.

Is that just after 1PM?

I think I will be checking that out.

Eric Mc

Original Poster:

122,110 posts

266 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
1.10 GMT - which is 2.10 BST. I'll be tuning in for this about 30 minutes before it all kicks off.

First live TV images from the vicinity of the moon since 1972.

Spiritual_Beggar

4,833 posts

195 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
Oh sweet!!!


Maybe this will be used to spark another set off missions.....ones that will see us establish a colony on the moon, from which we shall launch our intergalactic assault against the evil [insert sci-fi enemy here]


Seriously, this should be good. I'd love to see some more interest in space exploration again. It's getting far too cramped down here.

SkinnyBoy

4,635 posts

259 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
bookmarked in case I forget. Thanks for the heads up Eric.

elster

17,517 posts

211 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
Thanks.

Bing o

15,184 posts

220 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
Spiritual_Beggar said:
Oh sweet!!!


Maybe this will be used to spark another set off missions.....ones that will see us establish a colony on the moon, from which we shall launch our intergalactic assault against the evil [insert sci-fi enemy here]


Seriously, this should be good. I'd love to see some more interest in space exploration again. It's getting far too cramped down here.
Aren't NASA aiming for a Mars mission around 2030 using bases on the moon or something?

Spiritual_Beggar

4,833 posts

195 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
I know there are a few companies working on Lunar Habitation modules and such. But how far off we actually are to putting them to use is beyond me.

Eric Mc

Original Poster:

122,110 posts

266 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
In 2004, NASA announced a target date for a return to the moon of 2020. Today's LCROSS probe is the first step towards preparing detailed maps and surveys of potential landing sites.

At the moment, NASA is undergoing amajor review of its medium to long term goals in space and it is not guaranteed that the manned lunar missions will survive this review. This is a major shame as I think this is EXACTLY what NASA should be doing and it is what they are best at.

If NASA doesn't do it - someone else will.

fathomfive

9,950 posts

191 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
You know, I was watching a programme yesterday on the guidance / navigation computer which took Apollo 11 to the moon and back, and wondered after it had finished if we'd ever go back there.

I'm hoping to have finished my jobs for the day by then, so I can tune in and watch in wonder. smile

tegwin

1,632 posts

207 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
There is still something deeply fascinating and amazing about space exploration.... It would be fantastic to see some C21st on the moon doing some proper exploration! HD footage etc smile

Eric Mc

Original Poster:

122,110 posts

266 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
Although the probe hasn't started sending back images yet - www.spaceflightnow.com are providing TV pictures of mission control etc amnd general chat and discussion if anyone wants to tune in.

Fume troll

4,389 posts

213 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
Amazing, thanks.

Cheers,

FT.

Eric Mc

Original Poster:

122,110 posts

266 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
Now in orbit.

jmorgan

36,010 posts

285 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
Guam said:
Nice

Going to upset the Tin Foil Hat brigade when they photograph the Lunar landing sites eh smile
Doubt it. Already questioning it if you look in the right places. They would not accept it even if they managed to finance it and go there themselves. Not far off the same mentality as the Spanish Inquisition. Same centuries anyway.

Eric Mc

Original Poster:

122,110 posts

266 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
Absolutely - let them rot in their self created delusion and don't waste time debating with them.

LRO will be imaging some of these sites (as well of those of the old unmanned landers such as the Luna, Lunakhod and Surveyor) and will use the imaging as calibration testing of the camera's resolving capability - given that the dimensions of these artefacts are precisely known.

jmorgan

36,010 posts

285 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
Starting to get telemetry on the link above.

funkyrobot

18,789 posts

229 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
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Well spotted. Going to enjoy this!

SoapyShowerBoy

1,775 posts

196 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
'flight command I have completed steps 104, switch to MGA'

havn't got a clue what they are on about, but sounds cool!

elster

17,517 posts

211 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
I still don't believe Buzz and co were realing live streaming video back to earth. But hey that is just me.

Thought the Japanese had taken some photos of the landing site.

Which is why I'm interested in this, as I'm considering this as the first public live streaming video.