Environment
Latest Stories
bd25eaba37c4b30f510f6a70670002d5.jpg
In this artist's concept provided by NASA the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) spacecraft is seen orbiting the moon as it prepares to fire its maneuvering thrusters to maintain a safe orbital altitude. NASA's small moon-orbiting spacecraft LADEE (pronounced LAH'-dee) is no more. Flight controllers confirmed early Friday April 18, 2014 that LADEE crashed into the back side of the moon. (AP Photo/NASA, Dana Berry) Credit: NASA Ames / Dana Berry ----- What is LADEE? The Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) is designed to study the Moon's thin exosphere and the lunar dust environment. An "exosphere" is an atmosphere that is so thin and tenuous that molecules don't collide with each other. Studying the Moon's exosphere will help scientists understand other planetary bodies with exospheres too, like Mercury and some of Jupiter's bigger moons. The orbiter will determine the density, composition and temporal and spatial variability of the Moon's exosphere to help us understand where the species in the exosphere come from and the role of the solar wind, lunar surface and interior, and meteoric infall as sources. The mission will also examine the density and temporal and spatial variability of dust particles that may get lofted into the atmosphere. The mission also will test several new technologies, including a modular spacecraft bus that may reduce the cost of future deep space missions and demonstrate two-way high rate laser communication for the first time from the Moon. LADEE now is ready to launch when the window opens on Sept. 6, 2013. Read more: http://www.nasa.gov/ladee <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/audience/formedia/features/MP_Photo_Guidelines.html"rel="nofollow">NASA image use policy.</a></b> <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html" rel="nofollow">NASA Goddard Space Flight Center</a></b> enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a lea
41b6728b36e1af0f510f6a7067002828.jpg
FILE - In this April 14, 2014 file photo, the chief coordinator of the Joint Agency Coordination Center retired Chief Air Marshal Angus Houston speaks at a press conference about the ongoing search operations for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 in Perth, Australia. Houston has become the global face of the massive monthlong search operation off Australia's west coast to find the missing Boeing 777, which is believed to be resting somewhere on the silt-covered bottom of the Indian Ocean in a patch the size of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith, File)
459e86da36e1af0f510f6a7067008f1e.jpg
FILE - In this April 7,2014 file photo, the chief coordinator of the Joint Agency Coordination Center retired Chief Air Marshall Angus Houston listens to a question from the media during a press conference about the ongoing search operations for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 in Perth, Australia. Houston has become the global face of the massive monthlong search operation off Australia's west coast to find the missing Boeing 777, which is believed to be resting somewhere on the silt-covered bottom of the Indian Ocean in a patch the size of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith, File)
94dd399e3601ab0f510f6a706700d034.jpg
Candles burn at the front of a stage during a memorial service, Thursday, April 17, 2014, in West, Texas. Thousands gathered for the service that honored all those killed in a fertilizer plant explosion one year ago. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
148c4a15360fab0f510f6a7067005b89.jpg
Thousands of people gather outside and under the roof of a pavilion for a memorial service, Thursday, April 17, 2014, in West, Texas. The service honored those killed by a fertilizer plant explosion one year ago. Fifteen people were killed, including 12 volunteer firefighters and others responding to the fire, and more than 200 were injured. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
