Lunar impact experiment worked as planned
OCT 09, 2009
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.023748
Various : The experiment to smash part of a rocket upper stage into the Moon at high speed ( as reported earlier this week ) went without a hitch but did not produce a visible plume 10 kilometers high as expected.
Vincent Eke , from the University of Durham, told the Independent that the lunar surface may not have reacted as expected and stressed it was still too early to know if the mission had been a success or failure."If it turns out to be as dull as it looked, I’d imagine the soil just didn’t respond as was hoped to being hit,” said Dr Eke. “It might mean we don’t get sufficient data, which would be a shame."Researchers are now analyzing the data gathered from the event, NASA told NPR , and expect to know for certain if the impact dislodged any water in about two weeks. Related Links Targeting the Moon: Observatories gear up for Friday lunar crash Space.com Moon ‘bombing’ makes an impact—really The Independent Spacecraft crashes into Moon in search of water NPR
© 2009 American Institute of Physics
