Lunar Orbiter Launches Today! (6/18/2009)
by adminAfter some delays, and a launch conflict with STS 127, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter/Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite combo spacecraft will be launching today at 5:12 PM, EST.
The LRO/LCROSS is a combo spacecraft: the LRO is set to orbit the Moon at a height of 50km (31 miles). While it orbits it will Map the surface of the Moon for the first time since the Apollo missions. It will also use several sensors to find good landing locations for future manned missions to the Moon.
LCROSS is an impact probe. It will break off the spacecraft in two parts. One will impact the polar region of the moon, kicking up moon debris. The second part will fly through the debris, gathering data, and then will impact the Moon as well.
The debris plumes should be impressive, NASA declares that it may be visible in telescopes 10-12″ in diameter.
LCROSS will try to locate water, organic compounds, and anything else that has been theorized about the area underneath the lunar surface.
You can visit the LRO/LCROSS on Facebook for updates.
NASA TV Coverage begins at 2PM EST
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