The NASA team continues its efforts to establish contact with the small Lunar Trailblazer satellite, which was to begin the study of water on the moon.
The current status of the satellite:
- Recent telemetry data and radar observations show, that the device rotates slowly in a state of low power consumption.
- If the orientation changes, solar panels can get more light, which will make it possible to restore power and communication.
- NASA's Deep Space Network and ground-based observatories are actively tracking signals from the Lunar Trailblazer.
Problems with trajectory correction:
- Due to the loss of communication, the device could not perform trajectory correction (TCM) after launch.
- Without these maneuvers, the Lunar Trailblazer will not be able to enter the planned orbit around the Moon.
- Engineers are working on alternative TCM strategies, which will allow the device to reach orbit and perform part of the scientific tasks, if the connection is restored.
Project Lunar Trailblazer:
- Selected as part of the NASA SIMPLEx competition (Small Innovative Missions for Planetary Exploration).
- Goal: study of the distribution of water on the Moon using spectrometric instruments.
- Format: a low-cost science mission with a higher level of risk and less regulatory scrutiny.
- Target: testing new methods of exploring the Moon with minimal costs.
Despite the loss of communication, NASA does not stop trying to regain control of the satellite. If the team can reanimate the Lunar Trailblazer, it still has a chance to complete part of its mission to study water on the moon.