50 years later, an Apollo 11 experiment is still sending data from the moon.
The Apollo 11 crew didn't just just accomplish landing on the lunar surface and returning safely — the men also conducted several successful experiments that revealed secrets about the moon. One of the experiments, the retroreflector array, is still in operation and providing valuable data 50 years later.
Currie was a principal investigator on the team that created the retroreflectors deployed during the Apollo 11 mission. Currie said NASA's objective was for the experiment to only last for five years. During the Apollo 11 mission, Currie was closely monitoring from the McDonald Observatory as Aldrin set up the retroreflector array. Aldrin had to use a bubble level and sundial to properly position the experiment on the lunar surface.Retroreflectors were also placed on the moon during Apollo 14 and Apollo 15.
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