bob@etive.ed.ac.uk (Bob Gray) (03/16/89)
In article <101270005@hpcvlx.HP.COM> gvg@hpcvlx.HP.COM (Greg Goebel) writes: >SSI has several proposals for a Lunar Polar Probe. By far the most interesting >is one that would be launched from the Space Shuttle -- carried into orbit as a >"getaway special" (GAS) cargo. [....] >The LGAS probe would be ejected from the Shuttle; then it would deploy its >solar panels and begin a slow spiral away from the Earth that would place it >into lunar polar orbit in about two years' time. Well, if they don't get bending metal soon they'll be beaten to it. The March 1989 issue of "Spaceflight", on page 83, reports that the Soviets (who else?) intend to launch a probe called "Luna '92" to map the lunar surface including the polar regions to a resolution of a few metres. The craft will be based on the basic design and systems of the Phobos spacecraft and will carry cameras, gamma and x-ray spectrometers, an infra-red spectrometer and a magnetometer. And on looking for volatiles on the Moon. A TV Science programmme in the UK (The Sky at Night) last week mentioned that a greek scientist has produced firm evidence for the so-called Transient Lunar Phenomenon (TLPs). He has taken a series of photographs which show what appears to be a temporary bright cloud of material in a crater. Examination of the camera and photographs appear to rule out optical effects. Some people believe TLPs to be the outgassing of volatile substances like water from deep below the Moon's surface. Comments? Bob.