Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) is a NASA robotic spacecraft currently orbiting the Moon in an eccentric polar mapping orbit. Data collected by LRO have been described as essential for planning NASA's future human and robotic missions to the Moon. Its detailed mapping program is identifying safe landing sites, locating potential resources on the Moon, characterizing the radiation environment, and demonstrating new technologies.
Illustration of LRO
Atlas V carrying LRO and LCROSS
Onboard instruments
In this image, the lower of the two green beams is from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter's dedicated tracker.
The Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) was a robotic spacecraft operated by NASA. The mission was conceived as a low-cost means of determining the nature of hydrogen detected at the polar regions of the Moon. Launched immediately after discovery of lunar water by Chandrayaan-1, the main LCROSS mission objective was to further explore the presence of water in the form of ice in a permanently shadowed crater near a lunar polar region. It was successful in confirming water in the southern lunar crater Cabeus.
LCROSS spacecraft, artist's rendering
The flash from the LCROSS Centaur impact.
An illustration of the LCROSS Centaur rocket stage and Shepherding Spacecraft as they approach impact with the lunar south pole on October 9, 2009.
LRO (top, silver) and LCROSS (bottom, gold) prepared for fairing