Why The Eclipse Forced A Shutdown Of Lunar Spacecraft’s Instruments

(Before It's News)

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Image Credit: NASA

While people across North America marvelled at the blood-red moon early this morning, some NASA engineers had a different topic on their minds: making sure the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter would survive the period of extended shadow during the eclipse.

LRO uses solar panels to get energy for its batteries, so for two passes through the Earth’s shadow it would not be able to get any sunlight at all. Tweets on the official account show all as well in the first few hours after the eclipse.

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Read the rest of Why The Eclipse Forced A Shutdown Of Lunar Spacecraft’s Instruments (133 words)

© Elizabeth Howell for Universe Today, 2014. |
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Post tags: april 15 2014 total lunar eclipse, april 15 lunar eclipse, lunar eclipse, Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter

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