Spectrometer Helps NASA Detect Water in Excavated Moon Matter

摘要

An Ocean Optics QE650Q0 spectrometer has contributed measurements to the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) mission, helping NASA scientists to officially confirm the presence of water on the Moon. The spectrometer, dubbed ALICE, was custom re-engineered by Aurora Design & Technology to withstand the extreme temperature, radiation, shock, and vibration of space. In order to take a closer look at the Moon, the LCROSS shepherding spacecraft launched the Centaur upper rocket stage onto the floor of Cabeus, a permanently shadowed crater located near the lunar south pole.