The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) issued today images taken by its Kaguya lunar orbiter of the Apollo 15 landing site. Clearly seen in the space snapshots is evidence of thrusted gas that mussed up the lunar surface as the fourth mission to land humans on the Moon made touchdown.
Apollo 15's Falcon lunar lander was commanded by David Scott, with James Irwin serving as Lunar Module Pilot. The landing took place on July 30, 1971.
JAXA's Kaguya orbiter has also allowed creation of stereoscopic imagery of the Apollo 15 landing site, showing the Hadley Rille on the southeast edge of Mare Imbrium.
Identified in the just-released images by red lines are remnants of a halo, the exposed surface, after being disturbed by the lunar lander's thrusting gas during Falcon's touchdown.
Also shown in the JAXA update are before and after images taken of the landing locale, showing the stirred up lunar landscape caused by the touchdown.
Take a look back in time at the Apollo 15 lunar landing by jumping to the new 21st century images taken by the Kaguya lunar orbiter. The site is in Japanese, but you should find it easy to navigate your way to view the images.
Go to:
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2008/05/20080520_kaguya_j.html
-- Leonard David
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