ilan
02-27-2019, 01:30 PM
SpaceX Falcon 9 launches Israeli moon lander
Astronomy Now | 24 February 2019
https://mk0astronomynow9oh6g.kinstacdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/022419_beresheet.jpg
Artist’s impression of Israeli Beresheet lander on surface of moon.
Image: SpaceIL
The Israeli Beresheet – “in the beginning” – moon lander, the first privately-funded spacecraft ever built for a powered descent to the lunar surface, is safely on its way thanks to a picture-perfect launch atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
Developed by SpaceIL, an Israeli non-profit focused on spurring student interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics – STEM – careers, Beresheet hitched a ride to space with an Indonesian communications satellite launched 21 February from Cape Canaveral.
Released into the same highly elliptical “transfer” orbit as the Nusantara Satu communications station, Beresheet’s off-the-shelf main engine fired for the first time 24 February to adjust the spacecraft’s trajectory. Over the course of 10 planned manoeuvres, the spacecraft will raise the high point of its orbit to the point where it intercepts the moon’s, allowing it to be captured by lunar gravity.
That milestone is expected on 4 April. If all goes well, the small spacecraft will attempt a powered descent to the moon’s Sea of Serenity – Mare Serenitatis – on April 11, using a sensitive magnetometer on the way down to measure magnetic field strength. Once on the surface, a high-resolution camera will photograph the landing site in detail. The mission is expected to last just two days.
But if successful, the $100 million mission will give Israel membership in an exclusive club, joining the United States, the former Soviet Union and China as the only nations to land spacecraft on another world.
Astronomy Now | 24 February 2019
https://mk0astronomynow9oh6g.kinstacdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/022419_beresheet.jpg
Artist’s impression of Israeli Beresheet lander on surface of moon.
Image: SpaceIL
The Israeli Beresheet – “in the beginning” – moon lander, the first privately-funded spacecraft ever built for a powered descent to the lunar surface, is safely on its way thanks to a picture-perfect launch atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
Developed by SpaceIL, an Israeli non-profit focused on spurring student interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics – STEM – careers, Beresheet hitched a ride to space with an Indonesian communications satellite launched 21 February from Cape Canaveral.
Released into the same highly elliptical “transfer” orbit as the Nusantara Satu communications station, Beresheet’s off-the-shelf main engine fired for the first time 24 February to adjust the spacecraft’s trajectory. Over the course of 10 planned manoeuvres, the spacecraft will raise the high point of its orbit to the point where it intercepts the moon’s, allowing it to be captured by lunar gravity.
That milestone is expected on 4 April. If all goes well, the small spacecraft will attempt a powered descent to the moon’s Sea of Serenity – Mare Serenitatis – on April 11, using a sensitive magnetometer on the way down to measure magnetic field strength. Once on the surface, a high-resolution camera will photograph the landing site in detail. The mission is expected to last just two days.
But if successful, the $100 million mission will give Israel membership in an exclusive club, joining the United States, the former Soviet Union and China as the only nations to land spacecraft on another world.
