Brit robots to put phone mast on moon

NASA HAS backed a proposal for an unmanned UK space mission to test mobile phone masts on the moon.

Called MoonLITE, it effectively trains British scientists on the task of
providing logistical support to future US lunar missions, and perhaps
doing some geological research while they are there.

The Brits plan to impregnate the moon with four "high-speed",
"missile-like" vehicles launched from an orbiting satellite some time after 2012.

The mission would "test the space communications network needed by future robotic and human explorers", said a statement by the British National Space Centre today.

It would also use instruments to map the moon's interior geology. NASA might stick its own experiments on the probes. NASA might also support the UK-led development of robotic lunar explorers.

The details were published in a report by a joint NASA/BNSC board today and can be seen in this 46-page pdf. µ