description Lunar Prospector Overview
Lunar Prospector was a NASA robotic orbiter launched in 1998 as part of the agency's Discovery Program. It surveyed the Moon from polar orbit, mapping surface composition, magnetic fields, and variations in lunar gravity with a compact suite of scientific instruments. Measurements of enhanced hydrogen near the lunar poles provided evidence consistent with water ice in permanently shadowed regions, making the mission important to later lunar exploration planning.
help Lunar Prospector FAQ
What was Lunar Prospector?
Lunar Prospector was a NASA robotic orbiter that surveyed the Moon from polar orbit. It studied surface composition, magnetic fields, and variations in lunar gravity.
When did Lunar Prospector launch?
Lunar Prospector launched in 1998 as part of NASA’s Discovery Program. The mission used a compact spacecraft carrying several scientific instruments.
What did Lunar Prospector discover or map?
Its measurements helped map lunar chemical composition, magnetic fields, and gravity variations. It also contributed to the study of hydrogen concentrations near the lunar poles.
Why did Lunar Prospector orbit over the lunar poles?
A polar orbit allowed the spacecraft to pass over much of the Moon as the body rotated beneath it. That made it useful for global mapping of composition, gravity, and magnetic properties.
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