Smart One Probe: Mapping the Moon and Paving the Way for Future Space Exploration

The Smart One probe, launched by Europe, is surveying the moon using a solar-powered ion engine. It took 13 months to reach the moon, and its onboard camera is creating a high-resolution map. The mission is cost-effective, with the spacecraft designed to be compact and efficient. Smart One's orbit allows it to observe the entire lunar surface, focusing on the poles to identify areas of perpetual sunlight and potential ice. This mission not only advances lunar exploration but also develops technologies for future space missions.

What is the primary power source for the Smart One probe's ion engine?

• Nuclear power

• Chemical fuel

• Solar power

• Wind energy

Who developed the onboard camera for Smart One?

• Jean Luc Jose

• Isaac Newton

• Neil Armstrong

• Galileo Galilei

What was the cost of developing the Smart One spacecraft?

• €100 million

• €200 million

• €500 million

• €50 million

What is the significance of the polar region found by Smart One's camera?

• It is the darkest region

• It has the highest mountains

• It is bathed in perpetual sunlight

• It is covered in ice

Why are scientists interested in deep polar craters on the Moon?

• They are the warmest areas

• They could be sites for future bases

• They may contain permanent ice

• They might contain valuable minerals