Spacecraft to impact the moon (visible from Earth)

SammyC

SammyC

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From the ESA website:

ESA said:
SMART-1, the successful first European spacecraft to the Moon, is now about to end its exploration adventure, after almost sixteen months of lunar science investigations.

Initially planned to operate six months around the Moon, SMART-1 was later given a mission extension of one further year, now about to be concluded.

The spacecraft will hit the Moon surface through a small impact currently expected for 3 September 2006, at 07:41 CEST (05:41 UT) or at 02:37 CEST (00:37 UT), with an uncertainty due to the incomplete knowledge of the lunar topography. The expected coordinates for impact at 5:41 UT are about 36.44º south of latitude and 46.25º west of longitude.

The expected impact time (07:41 CEST ) will be good for big telescopes in South and Northwest Americas and Hawaii and possibly Australia. But if SMART-1 hits a hill on its previous pass, around 02:37 CEST on 3 September, then it can be observed from the Canary Islands and South America. If SMART-1 hits a hill on the pass on 2 September at 21:33 CEST, then telescopes in Continental Europe and Africa will have the advantage.
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So, all of those out there will big lenses and TC's should be able to get a photo!!!

:)
 
Kinda, our software will be used for the ground control systems! :)
 
IanC_UK said:
not very good then is it? if its going to crash ? cant you make it land ? ;) LOL
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Yeah yeah yeah. :LOL: :LOL: :LOL:
 
Think of how many Ford GT's you could buy with just one of these moon-hitting projectiles :LOL:
 
HIMUPNORTH said:
Think of how many Ford GT's you could buy...
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As many as you want to, cos they'd ALL have to get sent back to Ford for full refunds... ;)
 
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