William Atkins
Monday, 18 August 2008 20:06
Science -
Space
Page 2 of 3
The orbital mission (at a polar orbit of between 18 and 42 miles (30 and 70 kilometers] above the surface of the Moon) of the LRO is to survey (map) the Moon’s physical characteristics (with a resolution down to 1.6 foot [0.5 meters]).
It will also analyze the deep-space radiation environment around the Moon, and locate possible landing sites for future manned lunar missions.
Contained within the LRO is the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS). The craft will be sent into an impact plume that will be created when the LRO Centaur upper stage is intentionally directed to crash into a deep crater at one of the lunar poles at a speed of about 5,500 miles (9,000 kilometers) per hour.
The impact will send an impact (debris) plume above the lunar surface and the LCROSS will fly through the plume about four minutes after it is created in order to detect any water-ice that might be ejected into the atmosphere from the impact.
The LCROSS will later be also sent to crash into another location on the Moon.
The LRO and LCROSS are both part of NASA’s
Lunar Precursor Robotic Program, which is part of NASA’s
Vision for Space Exploration. The one-year standard mission for the LRO could be extended five years under ideal conditions.
Page three talks about the X-37B spaceplane.
