ESA - SMART-1 - What do all the instruments do?

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What do all the instruments do?

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What do all the instruments do?

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remote-sensing instruments on SMART-1 will scan Moon's surface

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How three remote-sensing instruments on SMART-1 are scanning the Moon's surface during one pass. Repeated passes will gradually fill in the picture.

SMART-1 is the first of ESA’s Small Missions for Advanced Research in Technology. It headed for the Moon using solar-electric propulsion and carrying a battery of miniaturised instruments.

As well as testing new technology, SMART-1 is making the first comprehensive inventory of key chemical elements in the lunar surface. It is also investigating the theory that the Moon was formed following the violent collision of a smaller planet with Earth, four and a half thousand million years ago.

Credits: ESA - AOES Medialab

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The feasibility of using a laser beam for communicating with a distant spacecraft will be tested by Laser Link from Tenerife to SMART-1.

SMART-1 is the first of ESA’s Small Missions for Advanced Research in Technology. It will head for the Moon using solar-electric propulsion and carrying a battery of miniaturised instruments. As well as testing new technology, SMART-1 will make the first comprehensive inventory of key chemical elements in the lunar surface. It will also investigate the theory that the Moon was formed following the violent collision of a smaller planet with Earth, four and a half thousand million years ago.

Credits: AOES Medialab, ESA 2002

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Seen here compared in size with roll of 35 mm film and weighing no more than an pocket digital camera, AMIE will send back electronic images of Earth and Moon - and watch for laser signals from Earth.

Credits: AOES Medialab, ESA 2002

Last update: 11 August 2006