Japan planning cancellation of lunar mission
Posted: Wed, Jan 17, 2007, 7:39 AM ET (1239 GMT)
The Japanese space agency JAXA is recommending that one of its two planned unmanned lunar missions, Lunar-A, be cancelled because of extended delays in its development. The mission, whose development dates back to a predecessor space agency, ISAS, in the 1990s, features a orbiter that would fire two penetrator probes into the lunar surface. Development of the penetrators has proven far more difficult than envisioned, however, leading to numerous schedule delays. Moreover, the orbiter, built ten years ago, now requires refurbishment that JAXA believes would be too expensive. A final decision on canceling Lunar-A will be made by the end of the month. A second JAXA lunar mission, the orbiter Selene, is not affected by the Lunar-A cancellation. It is scheduled for launch in mid-2007.
The Japanese space agency JAXA is recommending that one of its two planned unmanned lunar missions, Lunar-A, be cancelled because of extended delays in its development. The mission, whose development dates back to a predecessor space agency, ISAS, in the 1990s, features a orbiter that would fire two penetrator probes into the lunar surface. Development of the penetrators has proven far more difficult than envisioned, however, leading to numerous schedule delays. Moreover, the orbiter, built ten years ago, now requires refurbishment that JAXA believes would be too expensive. A final decision on canceling Lunar-A will be made by the end of the month. A second JAXA lunar mission, the orbiter Selene, is not affected by the Lunar-A cancellation. It is scheduled for launch in mid-2007.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Blue Origin launches Shatner, three others on second crewed New Shepard flight
Posted: Sat, Oct 16 6:02 PM ET (2202 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Friday, October 22
Intelsat CEO Stephen Spengler to Retire as Company Plans Chapter 11 Exit
ViaSatellite — 3:24 am ET (0724 GMT) Editorial: NASA launches deep into space
San Antonio Express-News — 3:24 am ET (0724 GMT) FAA did not accommodate SpaceX public hearing for Spanish speakers, say local residents
KVEO-TV Rio Grande Valley, TX — 3:20 am ET (0720 GMT) Environmental Racism? SpaceX Faces Public Hearings in Texas
PJ Media — 3:19 am ET (0719 GMT) SpaceX Starship Raptor vacuum engine fired for the first time
CNET News.com — 3:19 am ET (0719 GMT) |
