Lunar Prospector

NASA1998-1999Moon orbitAthena IIUSA
AgencyNASA
Year1998-1999
TypeMoon orbit
RocketAthena II
CountryUSA

About the Mission

A low cost orbiter that mapped the composition of the entire Moon. Found hydrogen at both poles, strong evidence for water ice in shadowed craters. Was crashed into a polar crater at mission end to try to raise a detectable plume. No water was seen in the plume, but the ice hypothesis was later confirmed. Its maps guided later landing site choices.

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