BBC News Online: Sci/Tech

Moon probe threatened by eclipse

The spacecraft is due to crash into the Moon on Saturday as part of an experiment that will help to establish whether there is ice on the surface.

But space agency officials warned on Monday that a partial lunar eclipse on Wednesday may disable the spacecraft's components.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, casting the Moon into darkness.

Lunar Prospector relies on power from solar panels to keep working, and is designed to survive for a maximum period of 47 minutes in the dark before its battery gives out.

Cautiously optimistic

However, during the eclipse, the probe will pass in and out of the Earth's shadow for nearly three hours. With Lunar Prospector nearing the end of its intended life, vital systems could be damaged and control of the spacecraft could be lost, say Nasa.

Lunar Prospector Mission Outreach Coordinator Lisa Chu-Theilbar is cautiously optimistic though. "Lunar Prospector has gone through a couple of eclipses similar to this one and experienced no difficulties," she said.

Since its launch in January 1998, Lunar Prospector has provided the most detailed geological maps ever of the Moon's surface. It has also detected Hydrogen - which could signal the presence of ice in the bottom of craters where the Sun's rays never reach.

Project scientists estimate there could be 200 million tonnes of ice in the lunar topsoil, which could be used to support human colonies and to generate fuel for manned missions to other planets.

Nasa hopes the probe's 6,115 kph (3,800 mph) impact will throw up a cloud of water vapour visible from Earth.

Relevant Stories

Spaceprobe to smash into Moon (26 Jul 99 | Sci/Tech)
Ice discovered on the Moon (05 Mar 98 | Sci/Tech)
What we can make of Moon water (05 Mar 98 | Sci/Tech)
Water on the moon? (06 Feb 98 | Sci/Tech)
Facts about Lunar Prospector (04 Jan 98 | Sci/Tech)

Internet Links

Lunar Prospector Impact Page
Lunar Prospector (Nasa Ames)
28 July Partial Eclipse (Nasa)

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