NASA finalizes the details of the launch of the probe "Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer" (LADEE) that will orbit the moon and will take samples of the dust and gas present in its atmosphere. The robot seeks to obtain detailed information on the characteristics and origin of the lunar dust, an unknown that has not been addressed since the Apollo missions.
The launch of the Air Force Minotaur V rocket, which will carry the space probe, will take place next Friday the 6th at 23:27 (local time) in Virginia (USA) . LADEE will stay at an altitude of 20 to 50 kilometers above the surface and will begin its mission by testing the new high-speed laser communication system.
Thirty days later, it will begin collecting data using different sensors that will allow it to determine the composition of the atmosphere, and collect and analyze samples of lunar dust particles. To finish the mission, the probe will crash against the surface of the moon and process information until the moment it collides.
The probe, contrary to the typical NASA procedure, has not been specifically designed for this task, but rather has multiple applications and allows a significant reduction in the agency's budget for subsequent missions, among which it does not figure in the long term. sending a manned ship to the moon.
