# Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer

> NASA lunar orbiter

**Wikidata**: [Q601848](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q601848)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LADEE)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lunar-atmosphere-and-dust-environment-explorer

## Summary
The Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) was a NASA lunar orbiter designed to study the Moon's thin exosphere and dust environment. Launched on September 7, 2013, the spacecraft was managed and built by the Ames Research Center as part of the Lunar Quest program. The mission concluded on April 18, 2014, when LADEE was deliberately crashed into the lunar surface after a 223-day mission.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name:** Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE)
- **Launch Date:** September 7, 2013, at 03:27:00 UTC
- **Launch Vehicle:** Minotaur V
- **Launch Site:** Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Launch Pad 0
- **Operator & Manufacturer:** NASA Ames Research Center
- **Mission Duration:** 223 days (concluded April 18, 2014)
- **Mass:** 383 kg (launch weight); 248.2 kg (dry weight); 49.6 kg (payload weight)
- **Cost:** Approximately 280 million US dollars (as of 2014)
- **Orbital Period:** Approximately 114 minutes
- **Spacecraft Bus:** Modular Common Spacecraft Bus

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the LADEE mission?
A: LADEE was a robotic mission designed to orbit the Moon and gather detailed information about the structure and composition of the lunar atmosphere. It also investigated how dust is lofted into the lunar exosphere.

### Q: When did LADEE launch and how long did it last?
A: LADEE launched on September 7, 2013. It operated for a total duration of 223 days before its mission was terminated.

### Q: How did the LADEE mission end?
A: The mission ended on April 18, 2014, when the spacecraft executed a planned lunar impact. It crashed into the Moon at coordinates 11.8494°N, 93.2494°W at approximately 04:31:47 UTC.

## Why It Matters
The Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) represents a critical step in understanding the lunar environment, specifically focusing on the tenuous exosphere and the mysterious movement of lunar dust. Before LADEE, the exact density and variability of the Moon's atmosphere were poorly characterized. By measuring the density, composition, and variability of the lunar exosphere, LADEE provided essential data for understanding other airless bodies in the solar system.

Furthermore, the mission was significant for its engineering and cost-efficiency. Managed by the Ames Research Center, LADEE utilized the Modular Common Spacecraft Bus, a versatile platform intended to reduce the cost and development time of space missions. With a total capital cost of approximately $280 million, the mission successfully demonstrated the use of this modular bus architecture. The mission also marked the first launch of the Minotaur V rocket, showcasing new launch capabilities for deep space exploration.

## Notable For
- **Modular Design:** Utilized the Modular Common Spacecraft Bus to standardize spacecraft construction and reduce costs.
- **Minotaur V Debut:** It was the first spacecraft launched aboard a Minotaur V rocket.
- **Lunar Impact:** The mission concluded with a controlled impact on the Moon's far side, allowing scientists to study impact plumes until the final moment.
- **Ames Research Center Management:** It was a rare example of a NASA mission where the Ames Research Center served as both the primary manager and the manufacturer.

## Body

### Development and Construction
The Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer was manufactured by NASA's Ames Research Center. It utilized a **Modular Common Spacecraft Bus** architecture, which was designed to be flexible for various mission types. The spacecraft had a **launch weight of 383 kilograms**, consisting of a **dry weight of 248.2 kilograms** and a **payload weight of 49.6 kilograms**.

Physically, the bus was compact, measuring **1.85 meters in width** and **length**, with a **height of 2.37 meters**. The total capital cost of the mission was reported at **$280 million USD** as of 2014.

### Launch and Orbital Operations
LADEE was launched on **September 7, 2013**, at 03:27:00 UTC from the **Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Launch Pad 0**. The launch was provided by the **Orbital Sciences Corporation** using a **Minotaur V** rocket. The launch contract was managed by NASA.

Upon reaching the Moon, LADEE entered a **lunar orbit** with an **orbital period of approximately 114 minutes**. The spacecraft began its orbital activity on **October 6, 2013**.

### Power Systems
The spacecraft was powered by a **spacecraft solar array** capable of generating **295 watts** (unit Q25236). It also carried a single **lithium-ion battery** to maintain operations during eclipse periods.

### Mission Conclusion
After **223 days** of operation, LADEE's mission was ended intentionally. The spacecraft impacted the lunar surface on **April 18, 2014**, at **04:31:47 UTC**. The crash site was located at coordinates **11.8494°N, -93.2494°W** on the far side of the Moon, ensuring it would not contaminate future landing sites or historical Apollo locations.

### Identifiers and Classification
- **COSPAR ID:** 2013-047A
- **NSSDCA ID:** 2013-047A
- **NAIF ID:** -12
- **Class:** Lunar orbiter; former entity

## References

1. [Source](https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/files/LADEE-Press-Kit-08292013.pdf)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](http://lroc.sese.asu.edu/posts/822)
4. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/lunar_artifact_impacts.html)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. [Source](https://sbnarchive.psi.edu/pds4/ldex/ladee_ldex_20161118/document/ladee_mission_rev1_5.pdf)
7. [Source](https://astrogatorsguild.com/?p=1018)
8. [Source](https://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2014/0418/Moon-orbiter-LADEE-crashes-triumphantly-after-amazing-mission)
9. [Source](https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/19/science/space/nasa-lunar-explorer.html)
10. [Source](https://www.timeanddate.com/date/durationresult.html?m1=09&d1=07&y1=2013&m2=04&d2=18&y2=2014&h1=03&i1=27&s1=00&h2=04&i2=30&s2=00)
11. [Source](https://apnews.com/article/fe8e158f09794780aa0e37239b352b89)
12. [Source](https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/pub/naif/toolkit_docs/C/req/naif_ids.html)
13. Quora