Lunar missions

Definition

Lunar missions are space expeditions aimed at exploring the Moon, including its surface, composition, and potential for future human habitation. These missions can be manned or unmanned and have provided significant insights into the Moon's general properties.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The first successful manned lunar mission was Apollo 11, which landed on the Moon in 1969.
2. Lunar missions have discovered that the Moon's surface is covered with craters formed by meteor impacts.
3. Unmanned lunar missions like the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter have mapped the Moon's surface in high detail.
4. The Moon has no significant atmosphere, which contributes to its cratered appearance due to lack of weathering processes.
5. Regolith, a layer of loose rocks and dust on the Moon’s surface, was extensively studied during lunar missions.

Review Questions

Related terms

Apollo Program: A series of NASA missions aimed at landing humans on the Moon and bringing them safely back to Earth.

Regolith:

The layer of loose, heterogeneous material covering solid rock on celestial bodies like the Moon.

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter: An unmanned NASA spacecraft currently orbiting the Moon to collect detailed data about its surface.