Spellflight

I did the original picture back in 2012, but decided that with the new Aaardvark tug, I'd recreate this shot. The NRO gave NAXA an old SpyGlass satellite to create a high-resolution photo map of the Moon. To get the old satellite into Lunar orbit, NAXA launched a NLS rocket with its typical S-IVC upper stage. Attached to the upper stage was an Aaardvark space tug. After launch, the upper stage/tug combo docked with the SpyGlass- now named Clementine III- and then boosted for lunar orbit. What was supposed to be just the best photo map of the Moon to date turned into the greatest discovery in history. On 5/5/2000, Clementine III photographed footprints on the far side of the Moon and traced them to what would become known as the Ancient Astronaut Observatory. Humans, not aliens, set foot on the Moon thousands of years ago! That discovery changed the course of space exploration.

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