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Астронет: Астрономическая картинка дня "Афина" летит к Луне http://www.astronet.ru/db/msg/1952151/eng |
Credit & Copyright: Intuitive Machines
Explanation:
Planet Earth hangs in the background of this space age selfie.
The snapshot was captured by the
IM-2 Nova-C lander Athena,
just after stage separation following its February 26
launch
to the Moon.
A tall robotic lander, Athena is scheduled to touch down
on Thursday, March 6, in
Mons Mouton, a plateau
near the MoonБs South Pole.
The intended landing site is in the central portion of one of the
Artemis
3
potential landing regions.
Athena carries rovers and experiments as part of
NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services program,
including a drill intended to explore beneath the lunar surface in
a search for evidence of frozen water.
It also carries a propulsive drone dubbed the
Micro Nova Hopper.
After release to the lunar surface,
the autonomous drone is intended to hop
into a nearby crater and send science data back to the lander.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.