NASA is preparing to launch a new mission to the moon which, according to sources, would be unmanned. Dubbed as LADEE (Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer), it will orbit the moon and examine its atmosphere and lunar dust movements.

LADEE is a small robot-like spacecraft that weighs only less than 850 pounds with fuel and has about the same size and weight of a small car.

NASA stated that the purpose of LADEE is to collect a detailed data on the satellite’s tenuous atmosphere. By studying the atmosphere and the lunar surface in greater depth, scientists will have a better understanding of the other planets that make up our solar system.

LADEE’s launch date is scheduled on Sept. 6. The whole mission is expected to last for 160 days wherein 30 days are allotted for the time it should reach the moon, 100 days would be for scientific exploration, and 30 days for it to return.

The mission is also dubbed as one of the cheapest missions that NASA has ever tested. If everything goes well, NASA may be able to launch more missions in the future even though they are faced with a tight budget.

LADEE will be carrying a laser communication system which is almost half the size and weight of a standard radio transmitter. What happens is that once it faces the earth, a laser will then be beamed to an approximate spot in space. After receiving the transmission, it will lock on and beam down its very own laser signal. When both sights have established a connection, then the transfer of information can begin. Tight and specific information will be passed back and forth. The further is the distance of the object, the more efficient the communication is.

The mission may not only provide us useful data to gain better understanding of the atmosphere of planets. It will also allow us to try out new manufacturing processes and communication systems. Even though the mission may be unmanned, it is still exciting to know that NASA is sending a new mission to Earth’s sole satellite.