Question: Which NASA orbiter spotted water molecules moving around Moon?
(a) Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO)
(b) Lunar Precursor Robotic Program (LPRP)
(c) Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS)
(d) Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector (LEND)
Answer :(a)
Related facts:
- NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) has observed water molecules moving around the dayside of Moon, an advance that could help us learn about the accessibility of water that can be used by humans in future lunar missions.
- Lyman Alpha Mapping Project (LAMP) —the instrument aboard LRO measured sparse layer of molecules temporarily stuck to the Moon’s surface, which helped characterize lunar hydration changes over the course of a day.
- Lunar water can potentially be used by humans to make fuel or to use for radiation shielding or thermal management.
- Scientists had hypothesized that hydrogen ions in the solar wind may be the source of most of the moon’s surface water.
- As a result, when the moon passes behind the earth and is shielded from the solar wind, the ‘water spigot’ should essentially turn off.
About Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO):
- LRO is a NASA mission to the moon within the Lunar Precursor and Robotic Program (LPRP) in preparation for future manned missions to the moon and beyond (Mars).
- LRO is the first mission of NASA’s `New Vision for Space Exploration’, which President Bush announced on January 14, 2004, in sending more robot and human explorers beyond Earth orbit.
The objectives of LRO are to:
- Identify potential lunar resources.
- Gather detailed maps of the lunar surface.
- Collect data on the moon’s radiation levels.
- Study the moons Polar Regions for resources that could be used in future manned missions or robotic sample return missions.
- Provide measurements to characterize future robotic explorers, human lunar landing sites and to derive measurements that can be used directly in support of future Lunar Human Exploration Systems.
Links:
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/nasa-orbiter-spots-water-molecules-moving-around-on-moon-says-study/article26488576.ece
https://pds-imaging.jpl.nasa.gov/portal/lro_mission.html