Moon countdown: first Nasa probe set to arrive
Reposted from: http://refreshingnews9.blogspot.com/2011/12/moon-countdown-first-nasa-probe-set-to.html
December 31, 2011 @ 8:57 am
The washing machine-sized probes have been cruising independently toward their destination since launching in September aboard the same rocket on a mission to measure lunar gravity.
Approaching the moon from the south pole, the Grail spacecraft – short for Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory – won't land on the surface, but will survey from orbit.
On New Year's Eve, Grail-A was poised to fire its engine for more than a half hour to slow itself and get captured into orbit. Grail-B will follow suit on New Year's Day.