description Lunar Flashlight Overview
Lunar Flashlight is a NASA CubeSat launched in December 2022 as a secondary payload on the ispace HAKUTO-R M1 mission. It was designed to beam near-infrared light onto permanently shadowed regions near the Moon's south pole and measure the reflected spectrum to detect exposed water ice. Persistent thruster problems prevented it from entering lunar orbit, and NASA ended the mission in 2023 after a lunar flyby, leaving the spacecraft in a high Earth orbit.
help Lunar Flashlight FAQ
What was Lunar Flashlight designed to find?
Lunar Flashlight was designed to search for exposed water ice in permanently shadowed regions near the Moon's south pole. It used near-infrared light and measured the reflected spectrum.
When and how was Lunar Flashlight launched?
The NASA CubeSat launched in December 2022 as a secondary payload on the ispace HAKUTO-R M1 mission. It was sent toward the Moon as a small planetary-science spacecraft.
How does Lunar Flashlight search for lunar water?
It beams near-infrared light into permanently shadowed craters and analyzes the reflected light. Water ice absorbs particular infrared wavelengths, allowing scientists to look for its spectral signature.
Why are permanently shadowed regions important?
Some polar crater floors receive little or no direct sunlight, allowing volatile materials such as water ice to remain trapped for long periods. These areas are important targets for future lunar exploration and resource studies.
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