The European Space Agency is ready to launch it's first ever lunar mission this weekend. Carried aloft by an Ariane 5 rocket, the payload will be put into orbit around the moon, where it will map the surface.

The interesting thing about this probe is the use of a low-thrust ion engine. NASA's Deep Space 1 probe was the first to use ion propulsion.

Posted by: Ted at 10:51 PM | category: Space Program
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1 The Ariane is a French rocket, isn't it? Won't it surrender to the little green men?

OK, there's a better joke in there somewhere.

Posted by: Victor at September 27, 2003 05:24 PM (FNHVL)

2 The Ariane program started off well, but hit a rough spot when their new and improved version tended to blow up.

The European Space Agency (ESA) is a consortium dominated by France.

Posted by: Ted at September 27, 2003 08:00 PM (2sKfR)

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