UK company on lunar course
1 min read
A Cambridge based thermal imaging company is heading to the moon as part of NASA's mission to search for the presence of water.
The Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) was launched last week to test the theory that ancient ice lies buried there. It will blast impactors into a crater, allowing the resulting material to be analysed for any presence of water.
Thermoteknix' Miricle TB2-30 ultra ruggedised thermal imaging camera will be used to monitor temperature variations in the blasts within the crater and the resulting plume. The system is calibrated for temperature measurement in extremely harsh environments under the most extreme vibration conditions.
Thermoteknix' managing director, Dr Richard Salisbury said:
'As a Cambridge based, British company, Thermoteknix are delighted to have been selected to play a critical part in NASA's important mission to find water on the moon which is vital for the future of long term space exploration. Thermoteknix is recognised all over the world as a leader and innovator in the field of thermal imaging and our proven product involvement in the US Aegis Space Defense programme, as well as high profile thermal imaging in Formula 1 and Indycar racing, led to our selection by NASA for this exciting and demanding mission. We are all very proud of this achievement.'
It is thought that the impacts, which should occur in October 2009, may be so large that they will be visible from earth.
