Subject line: Study of the lunar surface.

Responsibility of the mission: ESA

Date of launch: September 27th, 2003

End of mission: September 3rd, 2006

 

Description

SMART-1 is the first European space shuttle that travelled and orbited around the Moon. This is the first mission of the ESA Small Mission for Advanced Research in Technology programme, for advanced research in technology. It used solar-electric propulsion to travel to the Moon, carrying a set of miniaturized instruments onboard. As well as experimenting new technologies SMART-1 analysed the chemical elements of the lunar surface, providing key data to study the theory according to which the Moon was formed after the violent collision of a smaller planet with Earth, 4 and a half million years ago. Launched on September 27th, 2009, SMART-1 arrived in the lunar orbit on November 15th, 2004. After reaching its scientific goals, the mission ended on September 3rd, 2006.

 

Scientific goals

The main objective of the mission was searching for evidence of lunar water ice and building a three-dimensional map of the lunar surface.

‣ News

WEDNESDAY 26 MARCH 2025

Renewal of the collective bargaining agreement for Kenyan personnel at the Luigi Broglio Malindi Space Centre ‣

  The Luigi Broglio Space Centre (BSC) in Malindi hosted the final negotiation meeting today for the renewal of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (C.B.A) covering the period 2025–2028. Luca Vincenzo Maria Salamone, Director General of the Italian Space Agency (ASI), participated via videoconference, while the ASI negotiating delegation—comprising Alessandro Preti, Director of Human Resources; Dalila Sabato, Head of the Union Relations Service; Munzer Jahjah, Head of the Malindi Site; and Maurizio Toninelli from the Malindi Site—signed the new agreement alongside Antony Rajoro, Secretary General of the Kenya Scientific, Research, International, Technical and Institutions Workers Union (KRISTAIWU). Also present was Joseph Kagotho Muriithi, representing the Kenya Space Agency (KSA). Opening the meeting remotely, the Director General expressed appreciation for the efforts of both the Kenyan Union representatives and ASI’s negotiating team, stating: “Today is an important milestone for all of us. The signing of this Collective Bargaining Agreement strengthens the relationship between ASI and its employees. Over the next four years, this agreement will provide a foundation of clear and mutually agreed-upon guidelines, fostering a stable and harmonious work environment where everyone can contribute their best.” Alessandro Preti, ASI’s Director of Human Resources, emphasized the significance of the agreement, stating: “This agreement is a testament to the power of constructive dialogue and the pursuit of balanced solutions. Our goal remains to cultivate a strong and motivating workplace—one that values the dedication of its employees and ensures their contributions drive the success of our organization.” Both KRISTAIWU’s Secretary General and KSA’s representative expressed their satisfaction with the agreement reached. Following the signing, Munzer Jahjah, Head of the Malindi site (BSC), along with the rest of the ASI negotiating delegation and Union representatives, held a meeting with local BSC employees to present and explain the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

MONDAY 17 MARCH 2025

LuGRE: mission successfully completed ‣

The mission of the receiver has concluded, marking a significant achievement following the completion of the Blue Ghost lander’s mission MORE...

TUESDAY 04 MARCH 2025

LuGRE achieves historic lunar radionavigation milestone ‣

ASI - Agenzia Spaziale Italiana

The NASA-ASI receiver was powered on March 3 MORE...

TUESDAY 04 MARCH 2025

LuGRE achieves historic lunar radionavigation milestone ‣

The NASA - ASI receiver was powered on March 3 MORE...

FRIDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2025

LuGRE sets another record: first GNSS signals detected in lunar orbit ‣

This recent operation demonstrated that the receiver could use GNSS signals even near the Moon
MORE...