Silbermann (spacecraft)
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This article or section contains information regarding a future spaceflight. Due to the nature of the content, details may change dramatically as the launch date approaches and/or more information becomes available. |
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Silbermann (German: "man of silver," a nickname for the Moon) is the name of a proposed German mission to the Moon, announced by the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.) Director Walter Doellinger on March 2, 2007.
The characteristics of the mission will be announced in early 2008 and estimated costs are 300 million euros (390 million dollars) over five years, however the mission will involve a lunar orbiter that DLR intends to build and launch in 2013 to map the lunar surface.
It would be the first German mission to the Moon and the first European mission to the Moon since SMART-1.
[edit] Science objectives
The duration of the mission around the Moon will be four years. The entire surface will be charted 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. It will use the best camera currently available, the best radar sensors and unique spectrum sensors for measuring the mineral composition.
