SMART-1 mission; Mare Humorum; Oceanus Procellarum
A Mercator map generated during the European Space Agency's SMART-1 mission to the Moon indicating the positions of Mare Humorum (green) and Oceanus Procellarum (red).
SMART-1
European Space Agency lunar probe
Also known as: Small Missions for Advanced Research and Technology-1(Show More)
SMART-1, first lunar probe of the European Space Agency. SMART-1 was launched on Sept. 27, 2003. The 367-kg (809-pound) probe had a xenon-ion engine that generated only 7 grams (0.2 ounce) of thrust, but it was sufficient to nudge SMART-1 from its first stop (the first Lagrangian point between Earth and the Sun) into lunar orbit on Nov. 15, 2003. Once there, SMART-1 scanned the Moon for signs of water in polar craters and mapped...
Discover the world with Britannica
Subscribe to Continue Reading
Free Trial
|
No Ads
|
Exclusive Content
Explore Subscriptions
