Press cutting: British space team to shoot for the Moon

MoonLITE could be launched as soon as 2010 and involves putting a small solar-powered spacecraft into orbit around the Moon, from which four 3ft-long, dart-shaped penetrators would be fired into the lunar surface. …

They would carry a number of scientific instruments, including seismometers to listen for Moonquakes and thermometers to measure heat flow from the Moon's interior.

Penetrators would be sent to the far side of the Moon and to one of the poles so that water sensors could detect the presence, extent and concentration of water and other organic material. …

Dr Andrew Coates [UCL Mullard Space Science Laboratory], who contributed to the concept study, said: "We are trying to understand more about the internal structure of the Moon and its history.

"Is there water on the Moon and if so how did it get there?

"Looking at the heat flows created by radioactive elements and the composition of the Moon's interior will help confirm whether the Moon was created following a huge collision with Earth."

Asked whether Britain should go it alone and launch the missions without other national partners, Dr Coates said: "I think it's something the UK could certainly do, but the more likely scenario is that it will be part of a European mission.

"But it would be very exciting if we did it on our own."

Nic Fleming, 'Daily Telegraph'