The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter: Beginning the Science Mission After the Exploration Mission
- Paper number
IAC-10.A3.2A.3
- Author
Dr. John Keller, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Goddard Space Flight Center, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Richard Vondrak, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Goddard Space Flight Center, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Gordon Chin, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. James Garvin, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Goddard Space Flight Center, United States
- Year
2010
- Abstract
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft (LRO) was launched on June 18, 2009 and arrived at the Moon 5 days later on June 23. LRO began its mission as part of NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) in order to seek safe landing sites for future robotic missions or the return of humans to the Moon. In addition LRO's primary objectives included the search for resources and to investigate the Lunar radiation environment. The Exploration Mission for ESMD will have completed on September 15, 2010 and LRO will have begun a two-year Science Mission under NASA's Science Mission Directorate. This presentation updates the status and recent results from the LRO Exploration Mission, as well as the plans and objectives for the Science Mission.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)