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December 2, 2008 11:07:16 AM CST

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NASA to Boost Brits to the Moon

Posted Dec 15, 07 6:20 AM CST in World,  Technology,  Science & Health 

(Newser) – NASA is likely to help Britain send a probe to the moon by 2012, reports the BBC. A study found that the British "Moonlite" proposal fit a gap in NASA's plans. The project will fire darts from an unmanned probe into the moon's surface to discover what lies beneath. The Indian Space Agency may also get involved.

Britain may one day establish observatories on the moon. "The time is now to decide if the UK wants to join the next phase of human space flight," said a NASA administrator. "I would very much like to bring our oldest and closest ally into that partnership."

Source BBC

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NASA Administrator Michael Griffin looks up as the Space Shuttle Discovery crosses overhead.Griffin is enthusiastic about the Brits' moon proposal and the agency is likely to give it its full support....   (Associated Press)
The full phase of the moon is seen just hours prior to a total lunar eclipse. The British "Moonlite" proposal will see a moon probe firing darts beneath the moon's surface to listen for "Moonquakes"....   (Associated Press)
NASA adminstrator Mike Griffin is likely to back the British plans to send a probe to the moon by 2012 and hopes there will be more British astronauts in future.   (Getty Images)
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