Editing Apollo 17 (section)

==== Scientific Instrument Module ====
[[File:Apollo 17 CSM SIM bay.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|right|Apollo 17 SIM bay on the service module ''America'', seen from the Lunar Module ''Challenger'' in orbit around the Moon]]

The Apollo 17 SM contained the scientific instrument module (SIM) bay. The SIM bay housed three new experiments for use in lunar orbit: a lunar sounder, an [[infrared]] scanning [[radiometer]], and a [[Ultraviolet|far-ultraviolet]] spectrometer. A mapping camera, panoramic camera, and a [[Lidar|laser altimeter]], which had been carried previously, were also included in the SIM bay.<ref name ="science">{{cite web |title=Apollo 17 – Lunar Science |url=https://airandspace.si.edu/explore-and-learn/topics/apollo/apollo-program/landing-missions/apollo17-science.cfm |website=The Apollo Program |publisher=National Air and Space Museum |access-date=February 8, 2022 |archive-date=February 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208021215/https://airandspace.si.edu/explore-and-learn/topics/apollo/apollo-program/landing-missions/apollo17-science.cfm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The lunar sounder was to beam [[Electromagnetic radiation|electromagnetic]] impulses toward the lunar surface, which were designed with the objective of obtaining data to assist in developing a geological model of the interior of the Moon to an approximate depth of {{convert|1.3|km|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="science"/> The infrared scanning radiometer was designed with the objective of generating a temperature map of the lunar surface to aid in locating surface features such as rock fields, structural differences in the [[Internal structure of the Moon|lunar crust]], and volcanic activity. The far-ultraviolet spectrometer was to be used to obtain information on the composition, density, and constituency of the [[Atmosphere of the Moon|lunar atmosphere]]. The spectrometer was also designed to detect far-UV radiation emitted by the Sun that had been reflected off the lunar surface. The laser altimeter was designed to measure the altitude of the spacecraft above the lunar surface within approximately {{convert|2|m|ft|abbr=off|sp=us}}, providing altitude information to the panoramic and mapping cameras, which were also in the SIM bay.<ref name="science"/>{{sfn|Apollo 17 Press Kit|pp=56–59}}