Nasa-UK moon mission likely
Saturday, 15 Dec 2007 11:28
The lead researcher on the project has said it was "very likely" to get the go-ahead
Nasa is considering cooperating with the UK on an unmanned research mission to the moon, according to reports.
The BBC reports the American space agency was hoping to cooperate with UK scientists on sending a probe to the Earth's satellite that will fire four "penetrators" into the moon's surface.
The objects are meant to enter the surface of the Moon and send back data to researchers. The findings of a study conducted by Nasa that will be published in January said the project in collaboration with the UK matched the goals of the US space programme, according to the broadcaster.
Lead researcher Professor Alan Smith, who works for the Mullard Space Sciences Laboratory that developed the Moonlite proposal, said the project would provide a boost for UK industry and would encourage young people to take up physics and engineering.
He told the BBC that it was "extremely likely" that the project would go ahead.
"We've got to get our ducks in order, but I think the plan ticks all the right boxes and it's extremely likely that we will have the first British mission to the moon launched in 2012," Professor Smith said.