NASA's Clementine mission, launched on January 25, 1994, marked a significant step in lunar exploration and space technology. While primarily a Department of Defense (DoD) mission, Clementine carried a suite of scientific instruments to study Earth's Moon, making it a unique blend of military and civilian objectives.
Clementine's scientific goals included mapping the lunar surface, studying its mineral composition, and assessing the possibility of water ice in polar craters.
One of Clementine's most notable achievements was the discovery of possible water ice deposits in permanently shadowed regions near the Moon's poles. This finding opened exciting possibilities for future lunar exploration.
Although Clementine's primary mission ended in May 1994, the spacecraft was repurposed for the "Deep Space Program Science Experiment (DSPSE)," which involved observing and analyzing asteroids and passing celestial bodies during its extended mission phase.
