Summary

Science & Technology

SMART-1's science payload, with a total mass of some 15 kilograms, features many innovative instruments and advanced technologies. These are:

• AMIE, a miniaturised high-resolution camera for lunar surface imaging
• SIR, a near-infrared point-spectrometer for lunar mineralogy investigation
• D-CIXS, a very compact X-ray spectrometer with a new type of detector and micro-collimator which will provide fluorescence spectroscopy and imagery of the Moon's surface elemental composition
• XSM, an X-ray monitor to support D-CIXS by providing measurements of solar X-ray emission for calibration
• KaTE, an experiment aimed at demonstrating deep-space telemetry and telecommand communications in the X and Ka-bands
• RSIS, a radio-science experiment relying on KaTE. It monitors the electric propulsion by means of tracking techniques. In lunar orbit it will, with AMIE, also study the Moon's libration. This experiment is also a test of what will be a crucial investigation of BepiColombo, aimed at the investigation of the planet's internal structure

During the cruise phase to reach the Moon, several of these instruments were planned to make observations of other celestial targets as opportunities would arise. For example, D-CIXS was to study X-ray sources or comets, and XSM was to look at solar flares. In addition to supporting RSIS, the AMIE micro-imager helped to validate a deep space optical link (Laser-Link Experiment), using the ESA Optical Ground station in Tenerife, and helped to validate a system of autonomous navigation (OBAN) based on image processing.

Last Update: 26 July 2006

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• Europe's first lunar adventure (http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=31407&fbodylongid=849)
• SMART-1 Propulsion (http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=31407&fbodylongid=850)
• Science & Technology (http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=31407&fbodylongid=851)