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| .....The scientific
objectives of the Lunar-A mission to the
Moon are to image the surface of the
Moon, to monitor moonquakes, measure the
near-surface thermal properties and heat
flux, and to study the lunar core and
interior structure. To achieve these
objectives, Lunar-A will carry a mapping
camera and two surface penetrators. The
surface penetrators are equipped with
seismometers and devices to measure heat
flow. The seismometers will monitor
moonquake activity over the course of a
year and this information will be used to
learn about the structure of the Moon's
interior and the size of the core. The
heat flow measurements will provide
information on the thermal state and
evolution of the Moon. .....The launch
was scheduled for 24 August 1999 but has
been rescheduled to 2003 because a
penetrator failed a 300 m drop test and
must be redesigned. Damage was found
after the drop test to the epoxy
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