Lunar Prospector

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

02:28:00

Wednesday January 7, 1998

Watch Replay

Official Livestream

Mission Details

Launch Notes

First flight of Athena II, and first flight of Athena from Cape Canaveral.

Lunar Prospector

Wiki

Lunar Prospector was a small spin stabilized lunar orbiter. Using its Gamma Ray Spectrometer (GRS), it collected a large amount of scientific data that helps researchers understand the chemical composition of the lunar surface. The Lunar Prospector was launched with additional Trans-Lunar-Injection-Stage (TLIS). TLIS consisted of an ATK build spin stabilized Star-Stage-3700S powered by a Star-37FM motor. Some of the spacecraft's scientific instruments, also measured the Moon's magnetic and gravitational fields, enhancing our current understanding as well as potentially enabling future mission scientists to design more fuel-efficient journeys to the Moon. In addition, Prospector will carry a special instrument, called an Alpha Particle Spectrometer (APS), that will sniff out small quantities of gases that leak out from the lunar interior. A Magnetometer (MAG) and the Doppler Gravity Experiment (DGE) complemented the scientific payload. After the end of its mission the spacecraft was crashed on the lunar surface. Lunar Prospector carried also a small capsule by Celestis called Celestis-02 with the ashes of the late Gene Shoemaker.

Low Earth Orbit

1 Payload

295 kilograms

Rocket

Retired
Athena II

Active 1998 to 1999

Lockheed Martin logo

Agency

Lockheed

Rocket

Height: 28.2m

Payload to Orbit

GTO: 593 kg

Liftoff Thrust

1,900 Kilonewtons

Stages

4

Launch Site

SLC-46

Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida, USA

Fastest Turnaround

121 days 21 hours

Stats

Athena II


1st

Mission

1st

Mission of 1998

1998


1st

Orbital launch attempt