Wednesday, October 23, 2013

LADEE Set to Enter Lunar Orbit on Oct. 3 in Midst of Government Shutdown

LADEE Set to Enter Lunar Orbit on Oct. 3 in Midst of Government Shutdown:
NASA’s LADEE lunar orbiter will firing its main engine on Oct. 6 to enter lunar orbit in the midst of the US government shutdown. Credit: NASA
NASA’s LADEE lunar orbiter will firing its main engine on Oct. 6 to enter lunar orbit in the midst of the US government shutdown. Credit: NASA

NASA’s trailblazing LADEE lunar spacecraft is set to ignite its main engine and enter lunar orbit on Sunday morning, Oct. 3 – if all goes well – following the spectacular Sept. 6 night launch from NASA’s Virginia spaceport.
And in a happenstance no one could have foreseen, the critical engine firing comes smack in the midst of the political chaos reigning in Washington D.C. that has shut down the US government, furloughed 97% of NASA’s employees, and temporarily threatened the upcoming launch of NASA next mission to Mars – the MAVEN orbiter.
However, orbital mechanics waits for no one!
A source indicated that LADEE (Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer) mission operations are continuing.(...)
Read the rest of LADEE Set to Enter Lunar Orbit on Oct. 3 in Midst of Government Shutdown (802 words)

© Ken Kremer for Universe Today, 2013. |Permalink |No comment |
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