Twin GRAIL Probes Impact the Moon-Audio Commentary, 2:00 pm EP (5:00 pm ET)

17-Dec-2012 through 17-Dec-2012

NASA will provide commentary as the twin GRAIL probes, Ebb and Flow, impact the lunar surface on December 17, 2012.  The commentary begins at 2:00 pm PT (5:00 pm ET) with impact expected at 2:28 pm PT (5:28 pm ET) and will be broadcast on NASA TV and livestreamed on Ustream.   There will no video of the impact itself.

The two probes have been circling the Moon since the beginning of 2012 providing data on the lunar gravity field from which scientists can determine the structure of the Moon's interior.   The probes are now out of fuel and NASA will command them to impact the surface.  More details are in the NASA press release, which is reproduced below.

MEDIA ADVISORY: M12-240

NASA TO PROVIDE DEC. 17 COMMENTARY AS TWIN PROBES END LUNAR MISSION


PASADENA, Calif. -- NASA will provide live commentary of the scheduled
lunar surface impacts of its twin Gravity Recovery and Interior
Laboratory (GRAIL) spacecraft beginning at 2 p.m. PST (5 p.m. EST)
Monday, Dec. 17. The event will be broadcast on NASA Television and
streamed on the agency's website.

The two probes will hit a mountain near the lunar north pole at
approximately 2:28 p.m. Monday, bringing their successful prime and
extended science missions to an end.

Commentary will originate from the control room at NASA's Jet
Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, Calif. Coverage will last
about 35 minutes and include live interviews with GRAIL team members.
GRAIL's final resting place on the moon will be in shadow at the time
of impact, so no video documentation of the impacts is expected.

Data from the GRAIL twins are allowing scientists to learn about the
moon's internal structure and composition in unprecedented detail.
The two probes are being sent purposely into the moon because they do
not have enough altitude or fuel to continue science operations.
Media wishing to cover the end of the GRAIL mission at JPL, where they
will have the opportunity to conduct interviews and watch a live feed
from mission control, must contact the JPL Media Relations Office at
818-354-5011 by 11 a.m. Dec. 17. Valid media credentials are
required. Non-U.S. citizens also must present valid passports.

For NASA TV streaming video, schedule and downlink information, visit:



http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

The coverage will also be streamed live on Ustream at:

http://www.ustream.tv/nasajpl2

Join the conversation on Twitter by following the hashtag #GRAIL. To
learn more about all the ways to connect and collaborate with NASA,
visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/connect

For the mission's press kit and other information about GRAIL, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/grail

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