NASA chooses Ames Research Center for unmanned lunar explorations

Published: Nov 16, 2005
Source: news.xinhuanet.com



LOS ANGELES, Nov. 15 (Xinhuanet) -- The US space agency NASA has chosen the Ames Research Center to manage upcoming robotic lunar missions that prelude astronauts' venture there by year 2018, officials said.

The institute, based in Mountain View, California, has planned at least four unmanned missions to the moon, mapping the entire lunar surface and scouting out water and safe landing sites for the astronauts.


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These early missions will also help determine whether resources,such as oxygen, hydrogen and metals, are available for use in NASA's long-term lunar exploration objectives, the Ames Research Center said.

"The Robotic Lunar Exploration Program is a critical element of NASA's Vision for Space Exploration," said NASA Associate Administrator Scott Horowitz. "Data collected will help determine where we go, and what we find during our first human missions to the lunar surface."continue..