Posted on Friday, March 02 2007 @ 22:29 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck
Germany
aims to do an unmanned mission to the Moon by 2013.
The aim is to put a probe into orbit around the moon for four years with the aim of charting the entire surface for the first time. The survey is to be three-dimensional and in colour.
'The probe will examine the moon's surface and provide indications of significant geological formations that could later be of interest for drilling,' Doellinger said.
The probe will also investigate the moon's magnetic fields, look for water and analyse the minerals on its surface.
He said Germany was planning its own mission. Other countries, such as China, Japan, India, Italy and Britain, had similar plans.
Doellinger said details would be announced in early 2008 and estimated costs at 300 million euros (390 million dollars) over five years, in addition to the annual DLR budget of 700 million euros.
Currently the Germans have no plans to launch a manned mission.
