Washington, 10 sep (EFE).-the GRAIL of NASA mission departed today bound for the Moon, where their probes provide images to learn more about the cortex and the nucleus of the Moon, after that its release was postponed on two occasions.
The two probes of the GRAIl, an acronym in English mission of “Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory”, they have as mission to measure the gravitational field of the Moon and provide for its crust and core x-ray images, to help better understand the structure which is beneath the surface of our satellite.
The rocket that carries the probes took off exactly at the 09.08 local hours (13.08 GMT) from Cape Canaveral, Florida, when strong winds had forced to discard the first opportunity today for the launch, the 08.28 (12.28 GMT).
It was the third occasion that attempted to launch, which was initially scheduled for last Thursday.
Then, bad weather forced the cancellation, while a second attempt on Friday was postponed by a bug in the system of rocket propellant Delta 2.
The measures to take the GRAIL will contribute to better understand the relationship between the Earth and its satellite, NASA could improve their estimates when he decided to return to send a manned to the moon.
With the data to collect the probes will be more complete gravity map that exists so far, according to the scientists.
To configure it, they will have to overcome the pressure that will exercise the solar radiation on the panels of the vessels, gravity and interaction with other planets, which will oblige them make corrections in their measurements on the March.
The two probes GRAIL will not arrive in the vicinity of the Moon until the end of this year.
Once there, the two spacecraft will have the ability to analyze all the internal structure of the star from its center to the outer bark. layers
Each spacecraft flyby the Moon 50 km altitude and take data of variations that may arise in the gravitational field of the moon. This will be achieved by measuring the distance between the two, because the topographical formations alter this separation.
The mission will end at the beginning of June 2012, when both probes end up crashing against the surface of the moon.
The data collected by the probes will be used to answer many questions on the Moon remain without response and provide scientists a better understanding about the formation of the Earth and other planets Rocky system solar.
These mills space will have in addition a mission teaching to bring the space to the children.
The probes take on board cameras called MoonKAM, thanks to which students from around the world may request to be photographed certain parts of the moon when the ships pass on them.
The American space agency announced this mission in December 2007 as part of its “Discovery” program and scientists hope to achieve with her revolutionary results and useful for future generations. EFE
