Nasa mission to map water on the Moon
A small satellite is due to be sent to the Moon this week to find and map out any water that's on the lunar surface.Nasa's Lunar Trailblazer, which is an unmanned craft, will be blasted into space on a SpaceX Falcon rocket.About 48 hours after take-off it will separate from the rocket and make its way independently to the Moon.Its aim during its two-year mission is to discover water on the Moon, find out what form it is in and where exactly it is, and map its locations on the surface.The information will be used to support future missions to the Moon.
The Moon is usually thought to be a completely dry and arid place, but recent research suggested there is more water than scientists originally thought.A study in 2020 showed that pockets of ice could be hiding in the shadows of the Moon.Water is important for future missions because it is needed for drinking. Scientists also say the water molecule, H2O, could be split up so the hydrogen it contains can be used for rocket fuel.
The Lunar Trailblazer is kitted out with two science instruments, which will help it achieve its mission.The High-resolution Volatiles and Minerals Moon Mapper will identify water and work out how much there is. While the Lunar Thermal Mapper, which was built by University of Oxford's Department of Physics in the UK, will map the surface temperature and what the lunar surface is made up of.Nasa told Newsround that the Lunar Trailblazer is set to launch no earlier than 26 February.It will be joining a larger mission as a rideshare - this is when Nasa takes advantage of extra room on a rocket which is already setting off. Once at its destination, the Lunar Trailblazer will be making 12 orbits a day, observing the surface over different times.
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