Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) is a NASA robotic spacecraft currently orbiting the Moon in an eccentric polar mapping orbit.[6][7] Data collected by LRO have been described as essential for planning NASA's future human and robotic missions to the Moon.[8] Its detailed mapping program is identifying safe landing sites, locating potential resources on the Moon, characterizing the radiation environment, and demonstrating new technologies.[9][10]
Mission type
Lunar orbiter
35315
1,916 kg (4,224 lb)[3]
1,018 kg (2,244 lb)[3]
92.6 kg (204 lb)[3]
Launch: 390 × 270 × 260 cm (152 × 108 × 103 in)[3]
1850 W[4]
June 18, 2009, 21:32:00 UTC
Atlas V 401
September 15, 2009
1,825 km (1,134 mi)
20 km (12 mi)
165 km (103 mi)
May 4, 2015[5]
June 23, 2009
Cosmic Ray Telescope for the Effects of Radiation
Cosmic Ray Telescope for the Effects of Radiation
Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment
Lyman-Alpha Mapping Project
Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector
Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera
Miniature Radio Frequency
Launched on June 18, 2009,[11] in conjunction with the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS), as the vanguard of NASA's Lunar Precursor Robotic Program,[12] LRO was the first United States mission to the Moon in over ten years.[13]
LRO and LCROSS were launched as part of the United States's Vision for Space Exploration program.
The probe has made a 3-D map of the Moon's surface at 100-meter resolution and 98.2% coverage (excluding polar areas in deep shadow),[14] including 0.5-meter resolution images of Apollo landing sites.[15][16] The first images from LRO were published on July 2, 2009, showing a region in the lunar highlands south of Mare Nubium (Sea of Clouds).[17]
The total cost of the mission is reported as US$583 million, of which $504 million pertains to the main LRO probe and $79 million to the LCROSS satellite.[18] LRO has enough fuel to continue operations until at least 2026.[19]
First LRO image (June 30, 2009)
