Space Research

SMART-1 A technological step forward

To secure adequate preparation for the large future space research such as Bepi-Colombo and LISA, it is necessary to develop new technology. One such technology is an effective and reliable propulsion system for space probes.

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SMART-1 industrial team

A key element in ESA’s new policy in developing and constructing small satellites is to give more responsibility for the projects to the prime contractor and to the industrial teams though that obviously involves greater risks on the part of the contractors, thus less on the part of ESA.

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The X-ray Solar Monitor XSM on SMART-1

An instrument combination with two components, D-CIXS (Demonstration of a Compact Imaging X-ray Spectrometer) and XSM (X-ray Solar Monitor), are designed to make measurements of X-rays from the Sun, the Moon, and also other celestial bodies during the whole SMART-1 mission.

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ASPERA – Where did the water on Mars go?

Today, there is no, or very little, water in the atmosphere of Mars. However, it seems that there once was a lot of water on Mars. For example, studies of surface features suggest that there existed the equivalent of a several hundred meter deep water layer.

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