ANDOVER micro-structure engineer Geoff McBride was on tenterhooks as the Smart-1 satellite was finally launched.

Geoff, aged 40, of Acre Path was one of many engineers who helped design the D-CIXS which is on board the SMART-1 on its 16 month journey to the moon.

The instrument is a compact X-ray spectrometer, which will provide the first ever global X-ray of the moon.

It was touch and go for the launch. The mission was delayed for seven minutes and the spacecraft only had a 19-minute launch window.

Geoff and other engineers faced many challenges making the D-CIXS including fitting all the necessary components onto an instrument the size of a toaster.

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