European Lunar Explorer
Encyclopedia
The European Lunar Explorer (ELE) or European Lunar Lander (ELL) is a Romania
n Lunar lander
. It is being developed by ARCA
, as an entrant for the Google Lunar X-Prize.
Fully fuelled, it has a mass of 400 kilograms, including two upper stages that will be used to propel it from low Earth orbit
onto a trajectory towards the Moon
. The lander itself has a monopropellent cold rocket engine, fuelled by hydrogen peroxide
, which will be used to slow its descent towards the surface of the Moon. The target landing site is Montes Carpatus
. After landing, the spacecraft is designed to travel 500 metres in order to explore its landing site.
ELL is the part of the spacecraft that will actually land on the Moon, while ELE is the complete spacecraft, including the two stages that will propel it from low Earth orbit to a trans-lunar trajectory.
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
n Lunar lander
Exploration of the Moon
The physical exploration of the Moon began when Luna 2, a space probe launched by the Soviet Union, made an impact on the surface of the Moon on September 14, 1959. Prior to that the only available means of exploration had been observation. The invention of the optical telescope brought about the...
. It is being developed by ARCA
ARCASPACE
Asociația Română pentru Cosmonautică și Aeronautică or Romanian Cosmonautics and Aeronautics Association is a non-governmental organization that promotes aerospace projects as well as other space-related activities...
, as an entrant for the Google Lunar X-Prize.
Fully fuelled, it has a mass of 400 kilograms, including two upper stages that will be used to propel it from low Earth orbit
Low Earth orbit
A low Earth orbit is generally defined as an orbit within the locus extending from the Earth’s surface up to an altitude of 2,000 km...
onto a trajectory towards the Moon
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
. The lander itself has a monopropellent cold rocket engine, fuelled by hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is the simplest peroxide and an oxidizer. Hydrogen peroxide is a clear liquid, slightly more viscous than water. In dilute solution, it appears colorless. With its oxidizing properties, hydrogen peroxide is often used as a bleach or cleaning agent...
, which will be used to slow its descent towards the surface of the Moon. The target landing site is Montes Carpatus
Montes Carpatus
Montes Carpatus is a mountain range that forms the southern edge of the Mare Imbrium on the Moon. The selenographic coordinates of this range are 14.5° N, 24.4° W, and the formation has an overall diameter of . They were named after the Carpathian Mountains in Central Europe.This rugged range...
. After landing, the spacecraft is designed to travel 500 metres in order to explore its landing site.
ELL is the part of the spacecraft that will actually land on the Moon, while ELE is the complete spacecraft, including the two stages that will propel it from low Earth orbit to a trans-lunar trajectory.