U.S. Moon exploration begins with LRO/LCROSS liftoff

William Atkins
Friday, 19 June 2009 20:24

Science - Space

At about 54,000 miles from the Moon, LCROSS will separate from its Centaur rocket. LCOSS will direct itself so its scientific instruments are facing the Moon.

Then it will fire its thrusters so slow its pace toward the Moon. Centaur, however, will continue its faster pace to the Moon.

On October 9, 2009, the two, now separated, will be directed at about 7:30 a.m. EDT, to collide with the Moon. Both are scheduled to impact the Moon somewhere near the Cabeus region of the lunar south pole. However, that specific spot may vary depending on data coming in from LRO and other observations.

The Centaur will collide first with the Moon, creating a debris plume that the LCROSS will travel through in order to analyze its composition. It is looking for the presence of water vapor, water ice, hydrocarbons, and hydrated materials.

Then, four minutes later, LCROSS will also impact the Moon, creating a second plume above the Moon’s surface.

Dr. Cooke states, “LCROSS has been the little mission that could. We stand poised for an amazing mission and possible answers to some very intriguing questions about the moon."

NASA Ames Research Center: http://lcross.arc.nasa.gov/

NASA Kennedy Space Center: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/ksc_lro-event.html

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (pdf file): http://cio.gsfc.nasa.gov/pdf/360020main_LRO_LCROSS_presskit2.pdf.