Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter
Return to the Moon: The First Step
missions because building a lunar outpost
The United States has begun a pro-
means spending extended periods on the
gram to extend human presence in the solar
lunar surface. LRO focuses on the selection
system, beginning with a return to the Moon.
of safe landing sites, identification of lunar re-
Returning to the Moon will enable the pur-
sources, and studies of how the lunar radia-
suit of scientific activities that address our
tion environment will affect humans.
fundamental questions about the history of
Mission Profile
Earth, the solar system, and the universe—
and about our place in them. Returning to
LRO is scheduled for launch on an Atlas
the Moon will allow us to test technologies,
V 401 rocket in early 2009. The trip to the
systems, flight operations, and exploration
Moon will take approximately four days. LRO
techniques to reduce the risk and enable
will then enter an elliptical orbit, also called
future missions to Mars and beyond.
the commissioning orbit. From there, it will
The first step in this endeavor is the
be moved into its final orbit: a circular polar
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), an un-
orbit approximately 50 km (31 miles) above
manned mission to create a comprehensive
the Moon’s surface. LRO will spend at least
atlas of the Moon’s features and resources
one year in low polar orbit collecting detailed
to aid in the design of a lunar outpost. LRO
information about the Moon and its environ-
follows in the footsteps of Ranger, Lunar
ment. The LRO payload, composed of six
Orbiter, and Surveyor. These predecessors
instruments and one technology demonstra-
to the Apollo missions searched for the best
tion, will provide key data sets to enable a
possible landing sites. The goals of LRO go
safe and productive human return to the
beyond the requirements of these previous
Moon.
Instrument Payload
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera
Two narrow-angle cameras (NACs) on the Lunar
Cosmic Ray Telescope for the Effects of Radiation
Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) will make high
The Cosmic Ray Telescope for the Effects of Ra-
resolution black-and-white images of the surface, captur-
diation (CRaTER) will characterize the lunar radiation
ing images of the poles with resolutions down to 1 m
environment allowing scientists to determine potential
(3.3 feet). Up to 10% of the lunar surface will be imaged
biological impacts. CRaTER will also test models of
with the NACs. A third, wide-angle camera (WAC), will
radiation effects and shielding, and measure radiation
take color and ultraviolet images over the complete lunar
absorption by human tissue-like plastic, aiding in the de-
surface at 100 m resolution. These images will show
velopment of protective technologies to help keep crews
polar lighting conditions, identify potential resources and
safe.
hazards, and aid selection of safe landing sites.
Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment
Mini-RF Technology Demonstration
The Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment (DLRE)
The Miniature Radio Frequency Technology Dem-
will measure surface and subsurface temperatures from
onstration (Mini-RF) is an advanced synthetic aperture
orbit. It will identify cold traps and potential ice depos-
radar that operates in both the X and S bands of the
its, as well as rough terrain, rock abundance, and other
radio spectrum. It will be used to image the polar regions
landing hazards.
and search for water ice. In addition, it will used to dem-
onstrate the ability to communicate with an Earth-based
Lyman Alpha Mapping Project
ground station.
The Lyman Alpha Mapping Project (LAMP) will map
the entire lunar surface in the far ultraviolet spectrum.
Data Return
LAMP will search for surface ice and frost in the polar
With a comprehensive data set focused on support-
regions and provide images of permanently shadowed
ing the extension of human presence in the solar sys-
regions illuminated only by starlight and the glow of inter-
tem, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter will help identify
planetary hydrogen emission, the Lyman Alpha line.
sites that are close to potential resources and have
high scientific value, favorable terrain, and the environ-
Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector
ment necessary for safe future robotic and human lunar
The Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector (LEND) will
missions. All initial data sets will be deposited in the
create high-resolution maps of hydrogen distribution,
Planetary Data System, a publicly accessible repository
and gather information about the neutron component
of planetary science information, within six months of
of the lunar radiation environment. LEND data will be
primary mission completion. The processed data sets
analyzed to search for evidence of water ice near the
will provide a deeper understanding of the Moon and its
Moon’s surface.
environment. This will clear the way for a safe human
return to the Moon and for future human exploration of
Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter
our solar system.
The Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) will mea-
sure landing site slopes, lunar surface roughness, and
generate a high resolution 3-dimensional map of the
For additional information on LRO, visit:
Moon. LOLA also will measure and analyze the lunar
http://lro.gsfc.nasa.gov
topography to identify the permanently illuminated and
permanently shadowed areas.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Goddard Space Flight Center
8800 Greenbelt Road
Greenbelt, MD 20771
NASA Facts
FS-2007-11-098-GSFC (rev. 10/08)
