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Arianespace launches first European probe mission to moon
Evry (France), Sept 28: Europe`s first mission to the moon got off to a smooth start with the successful launch of an Ariane rocket from a base in South America that released the European space agency`s Smart-1 probe toward the lunar surface.
Evry (France), Sept 28: Europe's first mission to the moon got off to a smooth start with the successful launch of an Ariane rocket from a base in South America that released the European space agency's Smart-1 probe toward the lunar surface.
The Ariane-5 rocket lifted off from a launch pad in
Kourou, French Guinea at 8:14 pm local time yesterday (0444
IST), and placed the unmanned spacecraft on its trajectory 41
minutes later, Arianespace said.
The rocket also released two other satellites, including the Insat-3E, India's exclusive communication satellite, into earth orbit.
The Smart-1, short for "small missions for advanced research and technology," is off for a long voyage: It's expected to reach the moon by December 2004.
The core mission of the probe is to test a new solar-electric propulsion technology. The Smart-1 will rely on energy generated by solar panels used by "ion engines" that provide a thrust of charged particles.
The craft, weighing only 367 kilograms will also pioneer minute instrumentation to be used to explore the origins of the moon, look for water there and examine the prospect of building a permanent human base on the lunar surface.
ESA officials said the Smart-1 mission is cost-effective at a price tag of USD 126 million, about a fifth of a typical major science mission.
The Smart-1 was developed for ESA by the Swedish Space Corporation with contributions from some 30 contractors from 11 European countries and the United States.
Bureau Report
The rocket also released two other satellites, including the Insat-3E, India's exclusive communication satellite, into earth orbit.
The Smart-1, short for "small missions for advanced research and technology," is off for a long voyage: It's expected to reach the moon by December 2004.
The core mission of the probe is to test a new solar-electric propulsion technology. The Smart-1 will rely on energy generated by solar panels used by "ion engines" that provide a thrust of charged particles.
The craft, weighing only 367 kilograms will also pioneer minute instrumentation to be used to explore the origins of the moon, look for water there and examine the prospect of building a permanent human base on the lunar surface.
ESA officials said the Smart-1 mission is cost-effective at a price tag of USD 126 million, about a fifth of a typical major science mission.
The Smart-1 was developed for ESA by the Swedish Space Corporation with contributions from some 30 contractors from 11 European countries and the United States.
Bureau Report