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Asteroid Redirect Vehicle Travels to Lunar Orbit

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NASA

Mar 25, 2015
Image Article
Concept image showing the ARV and captured boulder in transit toward lunar orbit
The Asteroid Redirect Vehicle travels toward a stable orbit around the moon with the captured asteroid boulder. The vehicle’s solar arrays collect power from the sun and convert it to energy to ionize and accelerate xenon propellant, resulting in the bright blue plume at the rear of the vehicle.

The Asteroid Redirect Vehicle travels toward a stable orbit around the moon with the captured asteroid boulder. The vehicle’s solar arrays collect power from the sun and convert it to energy to ionize and accelerate xenon propellant, resulting in the bright blue plume at the rear of the vehicle.