ESA will launch two satellites to study the dark side of the moon
The European Space Agency is planning to explore the dark side of the moon.
What are you thinking?
ESA will launch two satellites into the Moon's orbit, which will study various parts of the cosmic body. Scientists want to study in more detail the far sections of the map, where there is a large crater "Shackleton.
What is used
The Lumio satellite will search for bright flashes on the far sections of the lunar map, where meteorites most often fall. VMMO will study the Shackleton Crater, which is on the dark side of the Moon. There scientists are trying to find frozen water and other materials necessary for future colonists. He will also study the radioactive background of the Earth's satellite. To study the moon, Lumio will use optical cameras, while VMMO will be a small laser.
When the beginning
The beginning of the mission is scheduled for February and March 2018. The duration will depend on the time that satellites will need to study the moon. At the same time, scientists have calculated that VMMO will be able to explore Shackleton crater for 260 days. The future mission will open up new opportunities for studying the Earth satellite, which were previously impossible.
