[FPSPACE] FW: NASA Collaborates with Astronomers in Search for Moon Water

[LARRY KLAES]

>From: NASA News <nasanews at mail.arc.nasa.gov>
>To: ames-releases at lists.arc.nasa.gov
>Subject: NASA Collaborates with Astronomers in Search for Moon Water
>Date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:15:17 -0800
>
>Jonas Dino 		Feb. 29, 2008
>NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.
>650-604-5612/207-3280
>jonas.dino at nasa.gov
>
>RELEASE: 08-16AR
>
>NASA COLLABORATES WITH ASTRONOMERS IN SEARCH FOR MOON WATER
>
>MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. - In early 2009, astronomers on Earth will point 
>telescopes at the moon looking for water -- and NASA will help them find 
>their target.
>
>NASA experts and professional astronomers are gathering today at NASA's 
>Ames Research Center for the Lunar CRater Observing and Sensing Satellite, 
>or LCROSS, Astronomer Workshop. The workshop's goal is to facilitate 
>collaboration among experts concerning the best techniques to observe the 
>expected debris plume created by the satellite's impacts on the lunar South 
>Pole.
>
>"The mission team, through the LCROSS Observation Campaign, will encourage 
>astronomers using both ground- and space-based telescopes to observe the 
>LCROSS lunar impacts," said Jennifer Heldmann, coordinator of the LCROSS 
>Observation Campaign. "Participation by professional astronomers is a key 
>component of the LCROSS mission. The campaign also will tap into the 
>knowledge and expertise of the large amateur astronomer community," 
>Heldmann added.
>
>The satellite's impacts are expected to be visible from Earth using 
>10-to-12 inch and larger telescopes. After the impacts, the mission's 
>science team plans to collect images and data and compile that information 
>into a lunar knowledgebase for use by the scientific community as NASA 
>plans future missions to the moon.
>
>"The data collected by LCROSS and Earth-based assets will greatly improve 
>our understanding of permanently shadowed craters on the moon," said 
>Anthony Colaprete, principle investigator for the mission.  "If we find 
>water ice, it will have great implications for human exploration of the 
>moon."
>
>The satellite is scheduled to launch with the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter 
>aboard an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Fla., at the end of this 
>year. After launch, the LCROSS shepherding spacecraft and the Atlas V's 
>Centaur upper stage rocket will execute a fly-by of the moon and enter into 
>an elongated Earth orbit. This maneuver will position the satellite for 
>optimal impact with the moon's South Pole. On final approach, the 
>shepherding spacecraft and Centaur will separate. The Centaur will act as a 
>heavy impactor that will excavate the crater floor and create a debris 
>plume extending above the lunar surface. Following four-minutes behind the 
>Centaur, the shepherding spacecraft will fly through the debris plume 
>collecting data. That information will be sent back to Earth before the 
>spacecraft impacts the lunar surface, creating a second debris plume.
>
>The LCROSS Astronomer Workshop is co-sponsored by the Lunar and Planetary 
>Institute, the LCROSS project office, NASA Ames and NASA Science and 
>Exploration Systems Mission Directorates at NASA Headquarters, Washington.
>
>For more information about the Lunar CRater Observing and Sensing Satellite 
>Astronomer Workshop, visit:
>
>http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lcross2008/
>
>For more information about the Lunar CRater Observing and Sensing 
>Satellite, visit:
>
>http://lcross.arc.nasa.gov
>
>For information about NASA programs, visit:
>
>http://www.nasa.gov
>
>                                                                         
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