Just saw this on Reuters........
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Europe's First Moon Probe Launch Seen Next Month
Fri August 29, 2003 11:48 AM ET
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Europe's first moon probe is expected to lift off from French Guiana at the end of September after its voyage was delayed twice in recent weeks, the European Space Agency (ESA) said on Friday.
The scheduled launch of the Ariane-5 rocket carrying the SMART-1 moon probe was delayed from August 28 and September 3 at the request of a consortium with a commercial satellite on board, the ESA said.
"The expectation is that the launch will now take place at the end of September," ESA said. A date for the launch would be announced next week.
The probe, which will orbit the moon to study its surface, is expected take around 16 months to reach its destination. It will search for signs of water in moon craters and try to shed light on the origins of earth's closest neighbor.
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Boy, I tell ya, those Europeans are really on the cutting edge aren't they probing the moon ??? I heard that there was even some speculation that in a few years, they may be able to put someone on the moon. What's next with those technologically savvy Europeans, air conditioning ?????
Just kidding, I know that's nothing to joke about, but couldn't resist the lay-up.
Vega
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Europe's First Moon Probe Launch Seen Next Month
Fri August 29, 2003 11:48 AM ET
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Europe's first moon probe is expected to lift off from French Guiana at the end of September after its voyage was delayed twice in recent weeks, the European Space Agency (ESA) said on Friday.
The scheduled launch of the Ariane-5 rocket carrying the SMART-1 moon probe was delayed from August 28 and September 3 at the request of a consortium with a commercial satellite on board, the ESA said.
"The expectation is that the launch will now take place at the end of September," ESA said. A date for the launch would be announced next week.
The probe, which will orbit the moon to study its surface, is expected take around 16 months to reach its destination. It will search for signs of water in moon craters and try to shed light on the origins of earth's closest neighbor.
___________________________________________________
Boy, I tell ya, those Europeans are really on the cutting edge aren't they probing the moon ??? I heard that there was even some speculation that in a few years, they may be able to put someone on the moon. What's next with those technologically savvy Europeans, air conditioning ?????
Just kidding, I know that's nothing to joke about, but couldn't resist the lay-up.Vega
