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Planetary Radio

The Moon, Ion Engines, and Helium 3 ...What More Could You Want?

Airdate: Monday, October 6, 2003
Running Time: 00:29:09
Listen: Windows Media | MP3

Europe's SMART-1 is on its way to the moon, powered by an ion engine. We hear from Bernard Foing right after the launch, and then look back to the only other spacecraft propelled by solar electricity, Deep Space 1. Speaking of electricity, Emily Lakdawalla wonders if we could make lots of it from the abundant helium-3 on the moon. And Bruce Betts has never been smoother.

Guests

• Bernard Foing, Project Scientist for SMART-1

Related Information

• SMART-1 website
• Deep Space 1 website
• Transcript of a talk by Harrison Schmitt on mining helium 3