NASA - Astrobiology - Latest News

The nasa.gov site requires that JavaScripts be enabled in your browser. For instructions, click here

+ Contact NASA

	+ ARC Home + Home



	Scientists are particularly interested in Saturn's moon Titan because it's one of the few known moons with its own dense atmosphere. Titan's atmosphere is also thought to be very similar to what Earth's atmosphere was a long time ago. By learning about Titan, we'll learn about our own planet.

Astrobiology Banner

This site is no longer maintained. It contains historical data.

For current information about the NASA Astrobiology Program, please visit http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/

2006-08-21 | MISSIONS
SMART-1 on the Trail of the Moon's Beginnings

Using its D-CIXS instrument, the European Space Agency's (ESA) SMART-1 spacecraft has detected calcium on the Moon's surface. The instrument was also used to detect aluminum, magnesium and silicon. By looking at the abundance of elements in lunar rocks, scientists can determine whether or not the Moon was created from material from early Earth that was blown away from our planet by a giant impactor.

Understanding how the Moon formed is important in defining the early history of our planet. The Moon has a major influence on life on Earth and on our planet's environment. Understanding how the Moon was formed may yield clues about how early life on Earth interacted with and evolved alongside the changing planet.

More on this story Full text of original item from ESA, Aug 21, 2006

Related news stories

Sep 04, 2006 | MISSIONS
SMART-1 Completes Mission
(ESA) - SMART-1 successfully collected data up until the craft's planned impact with the lunar surface.

Feb 25, 2005 | MISSIONS
A SMART Precursor to the New Lunar Exploration Fleet
(ESA) - ESA's SMART-1 spacecraft is examining the lunar south pole for the first time and will return data important to future Moon missions.

Feb 18, 2005 | MISSIONS
SMART-1 Mission Extended
(ESA) - SMART-1 will now continue its mission until August 2006.

Jan 26, 2005 | MISSIONS
SMART-1's First Images from the Moon
(ESA) - SMART-1 has returned its first close-up images of the Moon's surface.

Nov 16, 2004 | MISSIONS
Europe Reaches the Moon
(ESA) - SMART-1 is now safely in orbit around the Moon.

Nov 09, 2004 | MISSIONS
Europe Reaches the Moon
(ESA) - After a 13-month journey, SMART-1 is preparing for its arrival at the Moon.

Oct 18, 2004 | MISSIONS
SMART-1 on Track for Moon Encounter
(ESA) - SMART-1 completed its last ion engine thrust maneuver that will get the spacecraft to its Moon capture point on November 13.

May 04, 2004 | MISSIONS
Blood-red Moon
(ESA) - After completing its 278th orbit, Europe's SMART-1 is still on track.

Sep 29, 2003 | MISSIONS
SMART-1 Leaves Earth on a Long Journey to the Moon
(ESA) - The European Space Agency's SMART-1 lunar explorer successfully launched this past weekend.

Sep 24, 2003 | MISSIONS
SMART-1 Satellite Ready for Lift-Off
(ESA) - ESA's SMART-1 is scheduled to launch this weekend.

Sep 03, 2003 | MISSIONS
Launch of Europe's Moon Probe to be Set Next Week
(CNN.com) - The launch date for ESA's SMART-1 lunar mission is expected for late September.

Mar 20, 2003 | TECHNOLOGIES
ESA Prepares to Present SMART-1 to the Press
(ESA) - The ESA will present its first lunar mission to the press on April 3, 2003.

The preceding news links are provided as a public service for interested users. The views and claims expressed in external internet sites are not necessarily those of NASA.

	+ Freedom of Information Act + Budgets, Strategic Plans and Accountability Reports + The President's Management Agenda + NASA Privacy Statement, Disclaimer, and Accessibility Certification + Inspector General Hotline + Equal Employment Opportunity Data Posted Pursuant to the No Fear Act + Information-Dissemination Priorities and Inventories		Editor: Minafra NASA Official: Lynn J. Rothschild Last Updated: November 13, 2007 + Questions and Comments